Keegan Passos with his family, Kapi’olani CEO Martha Smith and Paul Toner, chairman of Marriott’s Hawai‘i Business Council and general manager of JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa.
By Miguel Gonzalez
Editor
(Honolulu) — Despite being born with four holes in his heart, 16-year-old Keegan Passos feels he has lived a richer life than many ever will. Keegan considers himself rich in appreciation for what today may bring knowing that tomorrow is not a guarantee.
On May 14, Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children announced Keegan as the 2014 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Hawai‘i Champion at a launch ceremony at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina.
The program honors remarkable children who have triumphed despite severe medical challenges, and only one child from every state is selected each year. Keegan will serve as an ambassador for Kapi‘olani and for Hawai‘i’s keiki throughout 2014. In November, he will travel to Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Florida, to share his story with a national audience. The program is presented by Delta Air Lines, Marriott International and Chico’s FAS.
“Marriott’s Hawai‘i Business Council is excited to host this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Hawai‘i Champion ceremony at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina,” said Paul Toner, chairman of Marriott’s Hawai‘i Business Council and general manager of JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. “For the past 33 years, Marriott in Hawai‘i has been a loyal community partner, and our associates from all the Marriott properties in Hawai‘i have been fortunate to raise $71,707.00 in cash and in-kind donations for Children’s Miracle Network benefitting Kapi‘olani Medical Center,” added Toner.
As Hawai‘i’s only member of the Children’s Miracle Network, Kapi‘olani helps Hawai‘i’s keiki, regardless of illness, injury or ability to pay. Each year, Kapi‘olani provides medical care, life-saving research and preventive education to help thousands of children overcome diseases and injuries of every kind.
When Jullie and Jay Passos found out their son Keegan would be born with a heart defect, they turned to Kapi‘olani. Keegan’s heart condition was first diagnosed at 32 weeks while in utero.
Born with a serious heart defect, Tetralogy Of Fallot and Pulmonary Atresia, a rare condition that accounts for only about 2 percent of congenital heart disease, Keegan has been under treatment for his condition since birth.
Before he was two years old, surgeons put a total of 10 stents (wire frames) in his arteries to assist his heart function, and Kapi‘olani has saved his life on numerous occasions.
He has gone through over 20 surgeries, including three open-heart procedures, and was rushed to the hospital at age 5 to have a pacemaker implanted.
Keegan was named 2014 Children’s Miracle Network Champion.
Through all of the surgeries and hospital visits, Keegan has shown the strength and determination of a champion. “Keegan embodies the spirit of compassion and triumph.
Despite his medical condition, he has shown deep love and care for his extended family of keiki with similar conditions,” said Kapi‘olani CEO Martha Smith. “Today, we celebrate Keegan’s amazing heart as we launch what I am sure will be a year full of amazing achievements.”
Now 16 years old, Keegan knows how lucky he is to be alive. He still has a lot of anxiety about his ongoing health problems, but he finds support through the Kardiac Kids Program at Kapi‘olani. There, he and other teen mentors provide support and share insights with other young children who face medical challenges. “I consider myself a lucky child. I want to help others who need care and counseling through their conditions. Being named a Champion for 2014 will allow me to make a positive impact and let others know that they are not alone,” Keegan explained.
During one of his recent medical procedures, Keegan was so upset that he would miss his mentoring duties, he asked the doctors if he could go to the meeting in his hospital gown and IV. The doctors told him he could – so he did! The kids were shocked to see him because they knew he was undergoing treatment that very day.
“Why are you here? Aren’t you sore?” they asked. He responded bravely, “Yes, but I want to be here for you guys, so I asked the doctors for permission.” Those traits are truly how a healthy heart should work, with love, compassion and kindness beating through its veins. This is one of the many reasons Keegan was chosen as Hawai‘i’s “Champion” for the Children’s Miracle Network’s Champions Across America.
Keegan shares that he hopes to impact as many lives as possible with his ambassadorship, one heartbeat at a time. “I want to give back, my heart is full, and I want to share that with those who need it the most,” he said.
About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champions
Every year, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® Champions program identifies a child with a remarkable medical story from each state. These Champions serve as ambassadors for the millions of children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals annually. The Champions and their families will travel to Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Florida, for one week in October to meet with media and delegates to highlight the vital work taking place at children’s hospitals.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America. Delta Air Lines has been a proud supporter of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1998, and this year is supporting the 2014 Champions program as the official sponsor. Chico’s FAS, Inc.is the presenting sponsor of the 2014 Champions. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org/Champions.
About Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children:
Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children is well recognized as Hawai‘i’s leader in the care of women, infants and children. With 207 beds, the not-for-profit hospital is Hawai‘i’s only maternity, newborn and pediatric specialty hospital. It is also a tertiary care, medical teaching and research facility. Specialty services for patients throughout Hawai‘i and the Pacific Region include intensive care for infants and children, 24-hour emergency pediatric care, air transport, maternal fetal medicine, and high-risk perinatal care. More than 1,500 employees and 630 physicians provide specialty care at Kapi‘olani. The hospital is home to Kapi‘olani Women’s Center, Kapi‘olani Breast Center and Kapi‘olani Women’s Cancer Center – the state’s only dedicated breast health and gynecological cancer centers. Kapi‘olani offers numerous community programs and services, such as the Kapi‘olani Child Protection Center and Sex Abuse Treatment Center. Kapi‘olani is an affiliate of Hawai‘i Pacific Health, the state’s largest health care provider. Learn more at www.kapiolani.org.
For more information on Kapi‘olani Children’s Miracle Network, visit www.KapiolaniGift.org/KCMN.