Page 5 - MidWeek Leeward - July 20, 2022

JULY 20, 2022 5
‘Aiea-based Neurosurgeon Helps Grant Local Keiki’s Wish
Ten-year-old Make-A- Wish Hawai‘i keiki Jillian, who was diagnosed with a blood vessel condition in 2014, looked forward to the day when she could say “hi” to Mickey Mouse at Walt Dis- ney World.
tant professor at University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine, and Spi- nal Elements president and CEO Jason Blain found out that Jillian’s 11th birthday is this month, they decided to treat her to a celebration at Sheraton Waikīkī on July 12, during which they presented a $10,000 check to Make-A- Wish Hawai‘i.
Last month, thanks to a partnership between ‘Aiea- based neurosurgeon Dr. Thomas Noh (who also hails from the Leeward coast) and Spinal Elements Inc. and its Hero Allograft Program, Jil- lian’s wishes came true, and she was finally able to meet the famed mouse and all his friends in Orlando with her ‘ohana by her side.
Area neurosurgeon Dr. Thomas Noh (middle, right) made it possible for Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i keiki Jillian (left) to visit Disney World. PHOTOS COURTESY MAKE-A-WISH HAWAI‘I AND SPINAL ELEMENTS
“When Spinal Elements shared information with me about the Hero Program, I was very excited that pro- ceeds could benefit someone here at home,” states Dr. Noh. “As a neurosurgeon who was born and raised in Hawai‘i, that really means a lot to me, and I’m delighted that Jillian got her wish and hope other Hawai‘i keiki will be able to benefit in the future, as well.”
“We are so grateful for the generous support of Dr. Noh and Spinal Elements to help grant Jillian’s wish,” states Trini Kaopuiki Clark, pres-
ident and CEO of Make-A- Wish Hawai‘i and one of Jil- lian’s wish granters. “Jillian’s sweet wish to eat a Mickey glitter doughnut at Disney World brought her the joy
and strength she needed to envision brighter days ahead, and it warms our hearts to see that she had a wonderful time making new memories to- gether with her family.”
Janelle, Jillian’s mom, states, “Thank you Make-A- Wish Hawai‘i, Spinal Ele- ments and Dr. Noh for making Jillian’s wish come true. Our ‘ohana is forever grateful for
this once-in-a-lifetime experi- ence.”
When Noh, who is a Har- vard Fellowship-trained neu- rosurgeon at Hawai‘i Pacific Health and a clinical assis-