Inspire 2018 FALL

CMN: Kayle Osai: Kapiolani's 2018 CMN Champion

Kayle Osai starts each day with a goal – to live with a positive attitude, no matter the challenges. It is the message Kayle will share with others as Hawaii’s 2018 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. 

When Kayle was a year old, his mother, Melissa, noticed something did not seem right. She took her son for genetic testing. Kayle’s tests showed that he had a chromosome 17 deletion and duplication. 

“When we moved to Hawaii and made an appointment at Kapiolani, they did further genetic testing and discovered that he also had Carney complex,” Melissa said.

Carney complex is a condition that puts individuals at an increased risk of developing benign tumors in the heart and other parts of the body. By the time he turned 9, Kayle had already undergone numerous medical procedures at Kapiolani ranging from heart and brain surgery to MRIs. 

CMN Champion ambassadors, like Kayle, represent the 10 million kids treated at CMN Hospitals every year. Kayle’s story has been shared locally and nationally as part of the ongoing efforts by CMN Hospitals to share the impact donations have on all the children who need help for illness or injury.

“Kapiolani has been Hawaii’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital for more than 20 years,” Kapiolani CEO Martha Smith said. “Kayle’s condition has led him to see almost every Kapiolani specialist. The Osai family has a powerful story that shares a great perspective of our team’s work.”

Kayle will need to be monitored for tumors for the rest of his life. His medical condition has also contributed to other health challenges, including hearing impairment, global developmental delay, autism and scoliosis. Through it all, Kayle maintains a positive attitude and keeps everyone's spirits up.

“He always has a smile, a wave ‘hi,’ aloha or hug to give out," Melissa said. 

His Kapiolani family is with him all the way. "I can see Kayle’s doctors in the hallway … and I can stop them and say, ‘Hey, I have a question,’ and they will stop and answer it,” Melissa said. “A lot of doctors in big hospitals on the mainland don’t do that. Kayle has had such outstanding care at Kapiolani.”

“Kayle and his parents are great champions for Kapiolani,” Kapiolani pediatric surgeon Dr. Russell Woo said. “Kayle requires so much care, but when we see them they’re so positive. It’s really amazing how strong the Osai family is in the face of so much adversity.”

CMN Hospitals are dedicated to providing specialized medical care to children regardless of their families' ability to pay. Gifts made in Hawaii stay in Hawaii, with 100 percent of the funds going to help our local keiki at Kapiolani.