Inspire 2016 FALL
CMN: Heart of a Champion
Julie, our 2016 Champion child with her family
14-year-old Julie Kobayashi wakes up grateful for every new day. Just three years ago, Julie was given a second chance at life when she was brought to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
Julie’s heart was pumping at less than 10 percent of the normal rate. She was transferred to Kapiolani’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for stabilization. After a series of trials and tests, the staff determined that she was experiencing heart failure and needed a heart transplant.
“When we were first told of Julie's heart failure in the emergency room at Kapiolani, we were in disbelief,” said Lori Kobayashi, Julie’s mother. “It was a very difficult time for us but the pediatric intensive care unit doctors, nurses, physical therapists, social worker and the critical care transport team at Kapiolani helped us get through it one day at a time by providing the specialized support we needed.”
The nearest pediatric transplant center is on the West Coast, so Kapiolani’s Critical Care Transport Team took Julie on an air ambulance to the mainland, where she eventually received a heart transplant.
Now Julie has a fully functioning new heart. She is focusing on enjoying life as a teenager and getting back to the things she loves, including playing the clarinet, lion dancing, playing video games, reading anime and drawing. But she is especially proud to be named the 2016 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for Hawaii.
“I am honored to represent the Children’s Miracle Network and Kapiolani,” said Julie.“I hope to be able to motivate other kids that they can overcome the challenges like I faced and be given that second chance in life. You can do anything you set your mind to.”
The national Champions program is supported by Delta Air Lines, Chico’s FAS, ACE Hardware and Marriott International.
About The Pediatric Transport Team Fund:
Donations to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Hawaii help fund Kapiolani’s Critical Care Transport Team. The critical care transport team provides transportation on airplanes and ambulances statewide 365 days a year.