For the second year in a row, students in the UH Mānoa College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science (KRS) led a series of physical activities for children diagnosed with cancer. As part of a Hawaiʻi Children’s Cancer Foundation (HCCF) event held at the Honolulu Zoo, five KRS students set up fun interactive games to play with the children and their families and providers.
“This annual event is such a wonderful day and the best part of my week,” said KRS Associate Professor Paulette M. Yamada Tamashiro. “There were about 80 attendees, including keiki, families, pediatric oncologists, nurses, social workers, behavioral and nutrition specialists. Our KRS students along with Dr. Jamie Higa, Joyce Wong, and Dr. Kiyomi Goto from Ho’oulu Me Ke Ikaika made this year’s survivorship day very successful.”
Ho’oulu Me Ke Ikaika is a community-based program and approach in Hawaiʻi designed to support adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Ho‘oulu Me Ke Ikaika and KRS recently co-published a paper titled An Approach to the Care of Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer.
Throughout the day, the children engaged in block building, bean bag and ring toss, hula hooping, tattoo designing, breathing exercises, and much more. There were additional activities hosted by other volunteer groups and healthcare providers, like creating magnets and making their own trail mix.
KRS Students’ Reflections:
“Volunteering at the zoo with children who have overcome cancer was one of the most meaningful experiences of the semester! We spent the day playing games, talking, and connecting with the kids and their families. What stood out most to me was their joy, and it was especially encouraging to see their families uplifted as well. It felt like an honor to be part of a day centered on fun and celebration for children who truly deserve it. This experience with HCCF certainly reminded me why I’m passionate about working in health and rehabilitation.” ~ Jesse Toves
“I had a great time at the zoo for the HCCF Survivorship event. Being able to bring some fun for kids who have already dealt with so many challenges at a young age was such a blessing, and I’m glad a few of them were calling me their friend afterwards. This was the best part of my week for me, and I hope to continue this at more events with the COE.” ~ Jackson Klemp
