Kaylan’s Story
Kaylan Jean Ku’umomimakamai Haywood, nicknamed Momi Girl, was born on December 23, 2006 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Gaylan, Michela (Kala), and Josiah(big brother) Haywood at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center.
At the time of her birth, she was surrounded and welcomed by her dad, her mom and many aunties who loved her from the start.
On February 16, 2018 she was diagnosed with DIPG a rare an inoperable brain tumor. In November Kaylan won 1st place in Hawaii State gymnastics in the Vault and 2nd place All Around. That February our lives changed forever when we were informed our girl had a brain stem tumor that had a 0% chance of survival.
On August 22, 2018 Kaylan went home to be with our Lord. She was surrounded by her mom, dad, brother, grandma, great aunt, two of her best friends, lots of aunties & uncles, nurses and doctors. During Kaylan’s last three weeks here on earth she made a lasting impact on doctors and nurses on the Pediatric floor at Kaiser Permanente. Always one to want to help and comfort others at such a young age, Kaylan was more worried about those around her, making sure her family, friends and all those around would make heaven one day to see her again.
Kaylan also made decisions an eleven year old child should never have to make. She made it know that she did not want to have any tubes or machines to keep her alive and that she wanted her tumor to be donated to help find a cure for another child. This is why the Kaylan Strong’s Fight Like A Warrior Foundation was started in memory of our daughter. So no Ohana ever has to fight alone.
Our Values
Mission
Our mission is to raise awareness for DIPG and to help ‘Ohana on all our Islands of Hawaii with DIPG & Pediatric Brain Cancer by serving as a community families can come to for support, comfort and information.
Vision
We want to be a part of helping to find a cure for DIPG while being there for families in a time where they feel their life is falling apart. “No Ohana Fights Alone”
Information
To get the facts on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)please view the link provided here.
Take Action: Help Us Fight DIPG
Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause and/or active in our organization and community
Our Organization
Kaylan Strong's Fight Like A Warrior Foundation rallies our community around a common cause: improving the lives of those affected by brain cancer.
As of April 2020, the foundation has been officially approved as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. The support of our community helps us make a difference in the lives of families facing a DIPG diagnosis.