collin's story: cancer care for hawaii's keiki

The time has come to expand cancer and infusion services for women and children statewide. As we embark on this capital expansion, we want to honor the late Martha B. Smith. For more than 30 years, Martha worked passionately to improve health care in Hawaii. During her time as Kapiolani’s chief executive officer, she led her team to aspire for a united vision — to create the preeminent health care center for women and children in Hawaii and the Pacific, and to build a space that supported family-centered care for patients, families and staff. As part of Martha’s legacy, Hawaii Pacific Health will name the new center the Martha B. Smith Cancer & Infusion Center at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

The center will be designed specifically for children like Collin Christensen. One day, Collin didn’t feel well. The usually active 4-year-old was tired. His legs hurt. When he didn’t get better,  his mom discovered bumps behind his ears. Doctors diagnosed Collin with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The cancer of the blood and bone marrow is rare and would require months, if not years, of intensive chemotherapy.  Watch this video to see how physicians, nurses, specialists and entire staff of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children helped Collin and his family through his journey back to health.