Welcome to our Team's Homepage

Feb 01, 2013

Carmen Leolani White

April 1st, 2007 – October 9th, 2012



Carmen’s Story


“Our Tough Little Princess”


One Monday afternoon in May, when Carmen was 4 years old, she came home from pre-school saying that she was cold. The next day she was in bed, tired with a fever. Though Carmen had never been sick before, nothing seemed too concerning. On Wednesday morning, Carmen was taken to Wilcox Hospital on Kauai and after a blood test was rushed to Kapiolani Hospital by a Medi-vac Plane due to her dangerously low platelets, hemoglobin and white blood cell count levels. Carmen was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in isolation fighting for her life. The next day we heard the words that brought us to our knees; “Your Daughter has Leukemia”. Shortly after the diagnosis we quickly learned that due to the amazing efforts of medical science and Leukemia Lymphoma Society the survival rate for Carmen’s type of childhood Leukemia was approximately 95%.


Carmen fought hard and was discharged from the hospital after 11 days, beginning her journey to recovery. After 28 days of intensive “induction” Chemotherapy on Oahu, Carmen's Leukemia had reached remission. Though we were all elated with this news, we knew that it was going to be a long road ahead to keep the Leukemia in remission.


Throughout it all, Carmen fought as our “Tough Little Princess”. She never stopped smiling, laughing and loving. Every day of Carmen’s life, even after her diagnosis, she popped out of bed with wide eyes and a smile, full of love and looking for adventure. There was never fear, sadness or feelings of sorrow.


Carmen’s middle name is, “Leolani”, which means voice from heaven. As a daughter, big sister and friend Carmen Leolani’s voice of courage and love touched so many people. The beauty and brilliant energy which Carmen had in her 5 ½ years was more so than some ever possess in their 80 years on earth, her short time here was fully and completely lived.


Tragically and suddenly, Carmen lost her fight to Leukemia on October 9th, 2012 due to complications caused by a recent chemotherapy treatment. She passed in her home in the arms of her mommy and daddy. We truly feel blessed for every minute we spent with Carmen and especially those last moments.


There is a quote by Joseph Campbell, it is “The sin of inadvertence, not being alert, not quite awake, is the sin of missing the moment of life – live with unremitting alertness!” This is our Team White Family motto!


Our children and espically Carmen lived like this. Wide Awake! This is a little girl that looked at the challenge before her and chose to live fully, alert and completely joyful.


Carmen, went through ups and downs, played joyously with her friends, played soccer, had just begun kindergarten, loved drawing, and playing with her wonderful, loving little brother Trevor, and lived fully, in the moment – everyday.


As Carmen’s parents we choose not to say good-bye but, to say thank-you to Carmen, for being such a inspiring example to our family of how to live. If the measure of a life well lived is the impact Carmen had on others and the unconditional love she showed everyone, then Carmen led a truly beautiful, important and well-lived life.


Carmen Leolani White - is Our Honored Angel for the Lavaman Waikaloa 2013


Together, there’s no telling what we can do. As a Team, we can combine efforts to save lives.


To read more about Carmen's story, visit her blogspot at:


www.carmenleolaniwhite.blogspot.com


A Hui Hou tough little princess. You shared with us the beauty of pure love.


Mommy and Daddy love you so much.

Donate to our Team

We are no longer accepting donations for this event, however you can still make a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Join our team now

Team Name Subteam Date Team Captain City/State
Team Carmen 03/24/13 Michelle Marshall Kona, HI
Team Carmen Team Norway 03/24/13 Kona, HI

Supporter Comments

"Angel, while you are busy with your divine duties know you live in our hearts always. DX"
Deborah Sipiala
Mon Jan 14 03:35:26 EST 2013
"I miss Carmen and I love you all for training in her memory. Thank you! "
Elizabeth Sharma
Thu Jan 17 07:41:45 EST 2013
"To tough, little princess Carmen L. White, we carry you in our hearts daily; thank you for touching our lives in the most important ways. Love Chip Nottage and Family"
Jennifer Nottage
Mon Jan 21 01:59:33 EST 2013
"Something for your efforts. :) Go team!!!!"
Sherry LeFevre
Fri Feb 1 10:41:45 EST 2013
"GO TEAM WHITE!"
Kristin Vines
Fri Feb 1 02:01:02 EST 2013
"We are friends of Julia's and have followed your story. Best of luck with your fundraising. "
Rosemary and Kevin Walker
Sat Feb 2 08:48:14 EST 2013
"We are so proud of everyone. Go Team Carmen! Love Carri & Darren"
Carri McClure & Darren Miller
Mon Mar 4 04:23:26 EST 2013
"Hi Team White, While we have not met personally, I feel like I know a lot about Carmen and Trevor from my time working with Carri. When Carmen was first diagnosed, I was just about to run my first race with Team in Training and was happy to run in Carmen's honor. As Carri may have mentioned, I have run each of my four races with TNT proudly wearing Carmen's name on the back of my jersey and have had my teammates do so as well. I was so very sorry to hear of her loss but am happy to be able to support you in your upcoming race and am happy to continue honoring Carmen in my upcoming TNT seasons. Carrie Lingenfelter"
Carrie Lingenfelter
Mon Mar 4 05:20:24 EST 2013
"Wishing everyone a very safe race from all of us at Keauhou Veterinary Hospital"
Keauhou Veterinary Hospital
Mon Mar 4 09:02:30 EST 2013
"Every swim stroke, step taken and pedal pushed is one step closer to a cure. What a great tribute, FIGHT ON!!"
Jennifer Campbell
Sat Mar 9 03:23:28 EST 2013
"Donating to honor the memory of Carmen White. "
Nancy & Rod Sanders
Wed Mar 13 06:12:40 EDT 2013
""Team White", you are always in our thoughts. Alex and Sebastien wanted to donate their birthday gifts to Carmen and her beautiful voice in Heaven. Laurent and I are humbled by your eternal love and desire to make this world a better place. Your strength and solidarity is inspiring. We will be sending strength, health and love on Race Day and always."
Alex and Sebastien Brisebois
Mon Mar 18 12:28:12 EDT 2013
"Hoping a cure is found...."
Fred Prouser
Thu Mar 21 11:56:46 EDT 2013
"Carrie, thank you for sharing Carmen's story with us. Wishing the team the best of luck and hope you raise a lot of money in her honor! Love, Melissa Harvey (SFTW family)"
Melissa Harvey
Mon Mar 25 06:00:27 EDT 2013

Team Fundraising Total

114%
114 %
Donations:  $31,624.91

Donate to our Team

We are no longer accepting donations for this event, however you can still make a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Thanks To

Jerry and Jami Murph... $100.00
Ron and Rosemarie Li... $100.00
Fred Prouser $100.00
Kevin Volchok $100.00
Fred Prouser $100.00
GRX Design $100.00
Big Island Running C... $100.00
Keauhou Veterinary H... $100.00
Alex and Sebastien B... $50.00
Rebecca Tucker $50.00
Elisa Pak $25.00
Katie McGowan $25.00
Jonna & Powell J... $25.00
Carrie Lingenfelter $25.00
Kassidy Bird $25.00
NICKI ITTNER $10.00
Katharine Linke
Sherry LeFevre
Nancy & Rod San...
Carri McClure & ...
Deborah Sipiala
Karen & Rob Tayl...
Kristin Vines
Jennifer Nottage
Chris Hanada & T...
Ron Harold
Tami & Darryl Sh...
Jennifer Campbell
Kristal & Erich ...
Melissa Harvey
Lisa Sigell & An...
Michelle Burnett
Rosemary and Kevin W...
Elizabeth Sharma

Supporter Comments

"Angel, while you are busy with your divine duties know you live in our hearts always. DX"
Deborah Sipiala
Mon Jan 14 03:35:26 EST 2013
"I miss Carmen and I love you all for training in her memory. Thank you! "
Elizabeth Sharma
Thu Jan 17 07:41:45 EST 2013
"To tough, little princess Carmen L. White, we carry you in our hearts daily; thank you for touching our lives in the most important ways. Love Chip Nottage and Family"
Jennifer Nottage
Mon Jan 21 01:59:33 EST 2013
"Something for your efforts. :) Go team!!!!"
Sherry LeFevre
Fri Feb 1 10:41:45 EST 2013
"GO TEAM WHITE!"
Kristin Vines
Fri Feb 1 02:01:02 EST 2013
"We are friends of Julia's and have followed your story. Best of luck with your fundraising. "
Rosemary and Kevin Walker
Sat Feb 2 08:48:14 EST 2013
"We are so proud of everyone. Go Team Carmen! Love Carri & Darren"
Carri McClure & Darren Miller
Mon Mar 4 04:23:26 EST 2013
"Hi Team White, While we have not met personally, I feel like I know a lot about Carmen and Trevor from my time working with Carri. When Carmen was first diagnosed, I was just about to run my first race with Team in Training and was happy to run in Carmen's honor. As Carri may have mentioned, I have run each of my four races with TNT proudly wearing Carmen's name on the back of my jersey and have had my teammates do so as well. I was so very sorry to hear of her loss but am happy to be able to support you in your upcoming race and am happy to continue honoring Carmen in my upcoming TNT seasons. Carrie Lingenfelter"
Carrie Lingenfelter
Mon Mar 4 05:20:24 EST 2013
"Wishing everyone a very safe race from all of us at Keauhou Veterinary Hospital"
Keauhou Veterinary Hospital
Mon Mar 4 09:02:30 EST 2013
"Every swim stroke, step taken and pedal pushed is one step closer to a cure. What a great tribute, FIGHT ON!!"
Jennifer Campbell
Sat Mar 9 03:23:28 EST 2013
"Donating to honor the memory of Carmen White. "
Nancy & Rod Sanders
Wed Mar 13 06:12:40 EDT 2013
""Team White", you are always in our thoughts. Alex and Sebastien wanted to donate their birthday gifts to Carmen and her beautiful voice in Heaven. Laurent and I are humbled by your eternal love and desire to make this world a better place. Your strength and solidarity is inspiring. We will be sending strength, health and love on Race Day and always."
Alex and Sebastien Brisebois
Mon Mar 18 12:28:12 EDT 2013
"Hoping a cure is found...."
Fred Prouser
Thu Mar 21 11:56:46 EDT 2013
"Carrie, thank you for sharing Carmen's story with us. Wishing the team the best of luck and hope you raise a lot of money in her honor! Love, Melissa Harvey (SFTW family)"
Melissa Harvey
Mon Mar 25 06:00:27 EDT 2013