Hopekids - Team Tevita!

My nephew Tevita Tonga Fangupo is part of an awesome program called Hopekids.   The program was created to give possible terminally-ill kids the opportunity to live life to the fullest with their families.  The cost of medical bills for these kids are outrageous and what this program does is it funds different activities each month so the hopekid and their siblings can have fun, in cases where they financially might not be able to on their own.  My sister in law Tina told me about this program and all the different activities they've been able to do.  What a blessing!  HopeKids provides ongoing events & activities and a powerful, unique support community for children with cancer and other life-threatening medical conditions.  They surround these remarkable children and their families with the message that hope can be a powerful medicine.

A while back, I think in November I blogged about my nephew Tevita.  Here's a little but about Baby TiTonga from his mom:

Tevita Tonga was born with multiple tumors inside his neck.  At times these tumors grow to where they obstruct his airway which affects his breathing.  Unfortunately the E.N.T. specialists are unable to perform surgery at this time because of the tumors being so near to his spinal cord and many nerves in his neck.  Every couple of months Tevita has to go through chemo to shrink the tumors and we're hoping that they will eventually scar up.  Although our son is young and small but he truely is a fighter.  He's our little hero!  We knew it from the day he was born.  We ask for your donation. We are greatful for any amount, no amount is too little. Thank you for your love and support. 

-Fangupo Family

http://www.firstgiving.com/christinafangupo

The Hopekids program held a 5K walk/run in honor of the kids.  It was held on September 11th, 2010.  As soon as Tina told me about it, I told her we'd be there.  Anything to support our handsome little nephew Tevita....like she said, he's such a little fighter!  I told Tea and Ma that we were going to go to it and they both wanted to go too.  I was surprised that Ma wanted to go, but she loves her great-grandkids so much and didn't even think twice about it.  That morning we got ready, loaded the wheelchair for Ma and the stroller for Lautala and headed to This is the Place Park to support little Tevita.  There were tons of kids there and tons and tons of families and friends supporting.  I'm super emotional and cried right when we pulled into the parking lot.  What an awesome program Hopekids is.  If you go on their website, you can see the awesome things they do.  And you can donate to this special cause.

"Why Hopekids? Because it's necessary.  There is a need to keep kids focused and thinking about the future

and looking forward to the future.  The more positive their attitude, the better their chance for recovery."

                                                   -Tom Lehman (Hopekids Honerary National Chairperson)

 Here are some pictures of our 5K walk in support of Baby Tevita! 

 The main man Tevita Tonga Fangupo

 Lautala supportin' and so happy about it!  haha

 Uncle Ova & Uncle Joey.... walking for hope in Honor of Tevita!

 Grandpa Kina & Ma supportin'

 5K, half was uphill, but we still did it....haha

 Auntie Sela showin' her support!

 Go, Go, Go Team Tevita!!

 Filimone supportin' his little cuzzin...

Having fun with lots of activities after the walk...

They had face-painting... 

 Yummy treats like snowcones...

 Even Lautala got her face painted..... GO UTES!!  haha

Pink Panthers Rugby girls showin' their support!

Ova ~ Gramma Kesa ~ Taeao ~ Nick

Me & Tina

Taeao & Nick w/ Baby Tevita

UPP

The kids havin' fun!

Yay!  Team Tevita!

We LOVE you Baby Tevita!

"There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no

tonic so powerful as the expectation of something tomorrow."

- Orison Swett Marden