Page 11 - MidWeek - June 23, 2021

H aving a child diag- nosed with a serious illness is one of the scariest, most confusing and isolating situations a parent may experience. Organiza- tions like HUGS Hawai‘i are key to helping families find
mission all these years. “We might do it different- ly ... but the overall mission remains the same, which is to help these families on
“I really think that the peer support programs are very im- portant to our mission. Creat- ing fun times for them, mem- orable times for them, but also an opportunity to bond with others who are going through their journey as well.”
ever to get people moving. This is a virtual fundraiser that we’re doing for the first time to get people healthy but also to help support our families,” Naguwa says.
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their journey,” she says. That help comes in the form of various programs that al- lows HUGS to support fam-
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their way through it.
HUGS stands for “Help,
ilies in crucial ways.
“I think one of the core
Other crucial programs pro- vide families with financial assistance, access to a food pantry, airfare assistance and a case management program called Hoʻokele, which helps families navigate agencies and find resources they may need. HUGS also makes weekly visits to hospitals, providing support during what can be an anxious time.
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Understanding & Group Sup- port.” The nonprofit’s mission is to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s fam- ilies and improve their quality of life as they face the emotion- al and financial hardships of caring for a seriously ill child.
Participants register indi- vidually or as teams, track their progress and post their photos and tag @hugshawaii on Facebook or Instagram with #GetMovinForHUGS. There are categories includ- ing top individual and team fundraisers, and best wacky costume. These photos will be shared, along with stories of the families HUGS helps during walk week.
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“When a child is diag- nosed with cancer, from the point of diagnosis until treat- ment is three years long,” explains executive director Joan Naguwa.
programs we have is peer support,” Naguwa asserts. She explains that “it really is a person who’s walked in their shoes that offers direct support to them.”
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“Hopefully ... they go into remission, and there’s still follow-ups. Some people have side effects from their treatments ... so their journey becomes the norm.”
Peer support comes in the form of special nights for moms or dads once a month, and family and respite nights. The special evenings (which were in-person before the pandemic and are virtual now) would allow parents a chance to have a date night, while their children, paired with trained volunteers, enjoy a night of fun with each other. It helps the kids see that there are others who can empathize with their situation.
All of these programs are aided through donations and there’s a way that everyone can help HUGS contribute.
“We’re just a conduit. It’s really the families where it all makes a difference,” Naguwa asserts.
According to Naguwa, the organization, which turns 40 next year, has kept true to its
“This is a virtual fitness challenge, we call it 5K, but it’s 5K, swimming, walking, working out at the gym, what-
— Lianne Bidal Thompson
The Get Movin’ for HUGS 5K (app.mobilecause.com/ vf/givehugs) takes place July 3-11.
For more information on HUGS and how you can help, visit hugshawaii.org.
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Photo courtesy HUGS Hawai‘i