Why we Give Arnie and Joji Baptiste’s Charity of Choice “The impact of having wishes granted is ubiquitous. We see how the wish children are able to just be kids, during a most stressful time in their lives. The wish families are able to be present and be part of a happy moment, away from all of the poking and prodding. The hope, strength and joy are felt by everyone,” said Arnie and Joji Baptiste, describing why they continue to support our mission at Make-AWish Hawaii. To watch a child you love battle with their health is a heart-wrenching ordeal. Arnie and Joji Baptiste know exactly what it’s like to see a young family member struggle with a life-threatening medical condition. The couple’s now 13-year-old goddaughter Skylar has not one, but three qualifying medical conditions that made her eligible for a wish. Her multiple diagnoses at age 11 meant a hard road of treatments ahead, and a need to keep her sensitive skin protected from Hawaii’s bright sun at all times. “When someone close to us aches, we feel it as well,” said Arnie and Joji. The two lived in San Francisco when Skylar was first diagnosed, but they remained strong and supported Skylar from afar. “Prior to our return to Hawaii from San Francisco, Skylar had mentioned she would have to go through chemotherapy as part of the treatment protocol; thinning and subsequent loss of her hair would be imminent. We returned to Honolulu with hats in tow and saw how her face lit up.” Skylar’s joy sparked a very unique wish – she wished to give the gift of sun safety to her classmates. Most kids might take the news of having to wear a hat at all times with disappointment, but not Skylar. She was excited to get creative and prove that you can be fun and fashionable while also being sun safe. “The impact of Skylar’s wish has far exceeded that of any expectation [we had]. Skylar continues to thrive and have perpetual hope, strength and joy. When a child spends as much time in the hospital as Skylar does, the silence in those hospital walls can be deafening. When we visit Skylar either in or out of the hospital, there is no dichotomy in her spirit. It is and continues to be ever-positive, fueling her spirit to keep on keepin’ on. And... that has a ripple effect on everyone in Skylar’s life (us included).”
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