FEATURES

SWAB YOUR CHEEK, SAVE A LIFE

Caryn, a 32 year old first generation Taiwanese American, was diagnosed with ALL - Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia this February. This is an incredibly aggressive disease. Without a stem cell donor match, she only has a 10% chance to live.

Caryn is in the middle of her MFT program at USC with the dream of becoming a therapist to serve underprivileged children. She grew up in New York, received education in Taipei, Boston, and as of this year, lives in LA and is married to her devoting partner Tony. She is a caring, big-hearted, generous woman who has made tremendous impact within her communities and continuously does so.

It’s an incredibly painful process to go through so many chemotherapy treatments within such a short period of time. Our family has had many sleepless nights, going from shock to despair, hope to inspired resilience, wishing for a miracle. Through this experience, we are really beginning to understand the preciousness of human life. And what it really means to come together as a family, as a community, as a movement.

We are doing everything in our power to keep fighting for Caryn. From creating the instagram account @swabforcaryn to raise awareness to partnering with BeTheMatch to organize donor drives throughout New York, Taipei, LA, Oakland, and most recently in Denver at last month’s Cultural Roots Night Market event. Another donor drive will be held at the AAPI Wellness Day on May 7th at the History of Colorado. Together, with everyone’s support, we’ve registered over 6,554 people to the national stem cell/bone marrow registry!

One of the main reasons why Caryn and her family have vowed to campaign so rigorously is to raise awareness for the urgent need for more AAPI representation in the registry. As of 2020, there are over nine million potential donors in the BeTheMatch Registry. Unfortunately, only 11% are Asians in this pool. Because ethnicity matters when finding the perfect match for a stem cell transplant, we are calling in Asians to support our cause. This has become a national call to action to not only attempt to save Caryn’s life, but also give vulnerable Asian American folks hope in the future, a fighting chance, if they too are in dire need of healthy stem cells to save their lives.

We have been filled with gratitude seeing celebrities on social media like Jeremy Lin, Ming-Na Wen, Ronny Chieng share about Caryn’s case and encourage AAPI folks to show up. We know we cannot do this alone. It takes a nation-wide movement to rise together, for us to choose humanity, dignity, unity and to increase our collective chance and our inherent right to live a long life. Will you help us?

For more information, you may contact tiffrexrei@gmail.com or call me at 732-610-4887.

Thank you,

HER NAME IS CARYN

YOU HAVE THE POWER

THAT COULD SAVE HER LIFE

Caryn has a rare & aggressive form of leukemia (ALL). She needs a stem cell donor match ASAP. The right match could increase her survival rate from 10% to 70%.

WAYS TO HELP 1 SEE IF YOU’RE

A MATCH

2

FOLLOW & SHARE

@SWABFORCARYN

Sign-up for a free swab kit Ages: 18–40

#SWABFORCARYN

IN COLLABORATION WITH

We are calling in 18-40 yr old Asian Americans, who are in good health to register by answering some basic health question. You will then be sent a swab test kit free of charge. It only takes a few minutes to swab in the inner cheek and mail back to the registry.

If you have a match, you will be notified. There is no obligation to commit if you are matched. You may request to remove yourself from the registry at any time; please remember though, your selfless donation can potentially save a life. To help, register at: my.BeTheMatch.org/SwabforCaryn

Hawaiian leis celebrate high school and college graduations this time of year

A symbol of affection, honor, and respect, leis are often given when “coming and going,” which is why they are often seen at graduations as students leave school for their next chapter in life.

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Kealohi Minami

Hawaiian leis are commonly given to those who are saying farewell. When a lei is given during graduation time, it symbolizes a way to say goodbye to the student’s old life and ushering in their next chapter. While in Hawaii, leis are easily accessible at local shops, they can be harder to find in Colorado.

Locally, Kealohi Minami and Ellen Akiano are two lei creators, who love to share and advocate for their Hawaiian culture.

“It’s a great opportunity to educate and provide access to the Hawaiian culture,” shared Minami, owner of Lei by Kealohi in Lakewood, Colo. Lei by Kealohi is a small Native Hawaiian owned lei making business founded by 22-year-old Minami, who has been making leis since she was seven years old. “My dad taught me how to make lei that was passed down from our kumu hula (hula teacher). This process requires protocol and mana a deep spiritual power which is often ignored when made or sold without cultural knowledge.” While she pursues her passion in building food equity and advocating for environmental justice, she is also establishing a home-based business creating leis for graduations, weddings, birthdays, and even baby showers. She tackles creativity with flowers that are locally produced in Colorado. Connect Ellen Akiona with her on Instagram @MissMaunaPua.

On the other side of town, in Aurora, Ellen Akiona, 52, also offers her lei-making services. As a one-person venture, Akiona receives all of her customers through word-of-mouth with peak season starting in May and ending around September.

Akiona said, “I enjoy making lei because itʻs my outlet. I love to be around the fresh flowers, colors, and fragrances. When I see people wearing my lei, I feel a sense of pride and fulfillment knowing that it made them happy.”

“I truly believe that a lei should be made and given with love and the spirit of aloha. I attribute my lei-making skills to my mother & Kuana Torres Kahele.”

Akiona is also a part of Hālau Kalama, a Polynesian cultural organization in Aurora, founded in 2007. The nonprofit is dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Native Pacific Islands’ culture and heritage through music, dance, language, and education.

There will be an opportunity to learn how to make leis on June 25, 2022 for Hālau Kalama’s 14th annual Lei Day at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, Colo.

Joining Hālau Kalama will be Kuana Torres Kahele, Hawaiiʻs own musician, songwriter, vocalist, dancer, and master lei-maker! Kuana will be teaching a lei-making workshop as well as appearing in concert that same day. Get tickets for the show or workshop at denverleiday.org.

Contact Ellen Akiona via e-mail at ellenakiona@hotmail. com or call/text 303-520-6393.