Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children is proud to announce that Cody Sugai has been named this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® Champion for Hawaii. Cody will serve throughout 2012 as an ambassador for Kapi‘olani Medical Center, Hawai‘i’s keiki and all children treated throughout North American’s 170 member children’s hospitals. Among his scheduled appearances are an official ambassador trip to Orlando, Fla. and Washington, D.C., in September.
Cody kicked off his 2012 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® Champion for Hawaii term at a reception held at the hospital on May 24. Several VIPs recognized Cody for meeting his unique medical challenges with courage and strength. Martha Smith, COO Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children; Steve Oshin, SVP Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals; Stacey Acma, Director Kapi‘olani Children’s Miracle Network; and representatives from sponsors Delta Air Lines, ACE Hardware & Chico’s FAS, official partners of this year’s Champions program, were in attendance
“On behalf of Kapi‘olani supporters statewide, we are proud to help support Cody in his important work as Hawai‘i’s Champion and to honor his leadership and inspiration,” said Willard Oshiro, Hawai‘i Operations Manager for Delta Air Lines. “Kapi‘olani provides lifesaving care for our employees, our customers and our community so we truly feel it’s important to give back through this campaign to ensure all children have access to the vital care they deserve.”
“As the only full-service pediatric specialty care hospital in Hawai‘i, Kapi‘olani relies on the generous support of the community and wonderful partners like Delta Air Lines, Ace Hardware and Chico’s FAS help ensure we can continue to provide the highest quality care for our keiki like Cody,” said Stacey Acma, director of Kapi‘olani Children’s Miracle Network.
Cody’s Story:
In 2010, Cody was at school at Hawaii Baptist Academy when a headache went quickly from mild to excruciating. He was rushed to Kapi‘olani Medical Center where he was diagnosed with bleeding in the brain caused by a rare malformation of blood vessels known as Arteriovenus Malformation (AVM). Cody was unconscious in the pediatric intensive care unit for two and a half weeks, and hospitalized for another two months under constant rehabilitation and assistance to relearn how to sit up, talk, and walk. Through it all, Cody has battled this life-threatening condition with surprising grace, optimism and candor.
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 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals annually. The Champions and their families will travel to Orlando, Fla. and Washington, D.C., for one week in September to meet with delegates and media 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 2012 Champions program as title sponsor. Ace Hardware and Chico’s FAS are official sponsors of the 2012 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 and 66 bassinets, the nonprofit 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 1,300 employees and 612 physicians provide specialty care at Kapi‘olani Medical Center. 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 Medical Center for Women & Children is an affiliate of Hawai‘i Pacific Health, the state’s largest health care provider. Learn more at: www.kapiolani.org.
To show your support go to www.KapiolaniGift.org/KCMN