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.