A little “broken” heart has healed and brought together so many beautiful hearts, said the family of Pa‘akamana‘o Matiu Lee on its Facebook page. Lee was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome. The condition was
A little “broken” heart has healed and brought together so many beautiful hearts, said the family of Pa‘akamana‘o Matiu Lee on its Facebook page.
Lee was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome. The condition was undetected before his birth, and his family was shocked to discover something was wrong just 14 hours after he was born.
Lee has two heart chambers instead of the normal four. Since his birth, he has undergone eight surgeries and his family is preparing for his second open heart surgery in 2013.
On Sunday, more than 270 community members, visitors and Lee’s family turned out at The Shops at Kukui‘ula to support Lee through the running of a 5k course which started on the Kukui‘ula bypass road from the entrance of the shopping center to the intersection of Koloa Road.
Spearheaded by Sundey Dillberg of Organic Functional Fitness Studio in The Shops at Kukui‘ula, runners were greeted with donated beverages, snacks, and an outpouring of fellowship from Lee’s family and friends.
Entry into the run was simply a donation, additional funds being raised through prize drawings and T-shirt sales resulting in more than $6,900 being presented to the Lee family for Pa‘a’s upcoming surgery.
“The support from our community for the Lee family while they await Pa‘a’s next open heart surgery is a touching reminder of how blessed we are to live on Kaua‘i,” said Dillberg in a release. “From the assistance of Kaua‘i Police Department Lieutenant Robert Gausepohl to Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.’s support in the permit approval process to the KPD personnel willing to volunteer without pay on their day off demonstrates the kind of aloha and sense of place Kaua‘i is known for. I am so proud to see what Kaua‘i can do to lift up those in need.”
Organizers pointed out that KPD volunteers assisted in keeping the road closed and ensuring that all participants were safe. Deputy Kaua‘i Police Chief Michael Contrades, Sgt. Roderick Green and senior clerk Mike Lane volunteered their time, being joined on the line by on duty officers Gilbert Asuncion, Russell Himongala and Dustin Broad.
Dillberg said when Donovan Claytor, owner of CG Custom Prints in Puhi, heard of Pa‘a’s plight, he immediately contributed more than $2,000 in T-shirts.
Faced with the huge costs of travel and care for the infant battling his heart defect, Pa‘a’s family expresses its appreciation on a Facebook page for all the help and support extended to the young boy.
“Pa‘a has brought together so many people, friends, family and strangers, opening up so many hearts,” according to the Facebook page for Baby Pa‘a. “Pa‘a has taught us how precious each day is, how to smile even when things get rough. He has taught us not to take anything for granted and there is a plan for each of us — a plan we cannot control. With his little ‘broken’ heart, he has healed and brought together so many beautiful hearts — all of this in six months — imagine what he will teach us in a lifetime.”
Visit www.s370374879.onlinehome.us/paa/prayforpaa.html for those who wish to contribute in support of the youngster. Additional information can also be found on the Friends of Pa‘akamana‘o page on Facebook.
