Colorful ‘Ohana Pink event rallies local breast-cancer community for education, inspiration and support
October 6, 2024
Kaka'ako, HI – The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center marked a successful inaugural “‘Ohana Pink” event on Sunday, October 6, 2024, with more than 200 members of the local breast-cancer community coming together to share the latest medical and health information, find inspiration and share heartfelt support.
The UH Cancer Center lobby was festooned in pink balloons, and breast-cancer “thrivers” donned pink shirts and were handed pink carnations. Attendees connected with volunteers from healthcare and support organizations at informational tables lining the walkways; and learned from presenters at educational posters in the Sullivan Conference Center, where they took in some of the latest studies, treatments and health practices related to breast cancer.
The 9 a.m. program, which was presented both in person and online, opened with an oli, a Hawaiian chant of blessing, by Mahea Wong, followed by a lively hula performance by Wāhine Hula Akala, a hula group of breast-cancer survivors.
Susan Hirano, a breast-cancer patient who is also a patient-empowerment advocate, gave an address titled, “A Thriver’s Journey,” in which she reflected on her experiences with cancer.
Naoto T. Ueno, director of the UH Cancer Center, took the podium to tell attendees how the UH Cancer Center is working to save lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. As an oncologist and researcher, he said, he is excited by progress in the field. And as a two-time cancer survivor himself, he said he hopes cancer patients will see the UH Cancer Center as a strong ally.
Jami Fukui, a UH Cancer Center researcher and clinician who was the organizer of the ‘Ohana Pink event, relayed the promise of the latest scientific developments in breast cancer as she spoke about “Past, Current, Future Pivotal Breast Cancer Clinical Trials in Hawaiʻi.”
As the program drew to a close, attendees enjoyed refreshments and connected with old friends and new, and music and happy shouts rose from dancers in the courtyard for a Zumbathon fundraiser for ‘Ohana Pink.
"The support we received for ‘Ohana Pink was overwhelming,” Fukui said. “We held this event because my breast-cancer patients asked for it and said they needed it. We wanted to make sure patients, clinicians, researchers, nonprofits, everyone, could share in our fight against breast cancer. It’s truly heartening to see the community unite this way.”