Johannah Kinimaka - Help Johannah overcome CIDP!!!

Aloha!

We are humbly asking for your kōkua to help offset costs for my aunty, Johannah Kinimaka, and her ʻohana. For those of you who donʻt know my aunty, she is a Stage IV Lung Cancer SURVIVOR, single mom and sole provider of 2 children who attend Kailua High School, and also has one adult son who lives on his own with his girlfriend and infant son. She is one of the strongest, most hard working, dedicated and selfless person anyone can ever meet. If you ever had the opportunity to meet her, youʻd know she is a ride or die mana wahine, strong in her faith, who doesnʻt ask for help for herself, which is why we are here today.

She was taken by surprise and recently diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disorder called Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and has been hospitalized, undergoing testing and treatment at Queenʻs Medical Center since September 27, 2023. CIDP is also related to the more commonly known disease Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). But while GBS is generally considered more of an acute, or short-term disease, CIDP is considered a chronic, or long-term, disease.

Since June 2023, she has slowly lost sensation and function in both her legs (more prominent in her left leg than her right). Over a span of four months, she is now dependent on her wheelchair as her legs have atrophied and requires assistance with completing daily tasks big and small. Doctors have been working with her diligently and doing their best to help my aunty. But, as of today, we are not completely sure whether the treatments are working as she has showed little to no response to treatment. With that being said, we donʻt know if the damage done to her nerves are reversible or permanent. All we know for sure, is that Johannah has a very long road to recovery ahead of her, consisting of medication regimen and intense physical therapy.

With help from family, friends, and her Strive HI Athletics ʻOhana, we are hoping to raise money to assist my aunty with her medical bills as well as living expenses. We understand the struggles that many of us face financially, especially during these trying times. If you are able to, please SHARE and/or support as anything helps.

My aunty is also a firm believer in prayer, so we would like to ask all prayer warriors to please keep her in your thoughts during her time of need. Thank you all so much for your kōkua!

Jovial LeClair &

The Kinimaka ʻOhana