Fourth graders raise money for breast cancer research

Four local fourth graders are funding breast cancer research in Hawai‘i in honor of relatives who have battled the disease, and their $760 donation makes them the youngest known donors to the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center.

The four girls – all students at Punahou School – raised the money through a series of bake sales and presented a check to the UH Cancer Center on June 5.

After the donation celebration, the girls toured the Cancer Center and spoke with researchers Lenora Loo, PhD, and Brenda Hernandez, PhD, about breast cancer research at the center.

The four students, Kiyera Werny, Shaylee Ungos, Devyn Goo and Kendall Kirton, designated the money for breast cancer research because Kiyera's aunt and Devyn's great grandmother are both breast cancer survivors.

“This donation shows a level of maturity, generosity, hard work and caring that sets the example for all donors, of any age,” said Dr. Jerris Hedges, dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine and interim director of the Cancer Center.

Werny’s aunt, Sandra Shim, is a pharmaceutical sales representative whose battle with breast cancer inspired the girls to choose cancer research for their philanthropy.

“It was super-duper scary, but luckily Aunty Sandra is very strong and brave, and fought the cancer. And now she is cancer free!” said Werny. Goo’s great grandmother, Mildred Goo, is a 19-year survivor of breast cancer.

The girls are also donating a portion of their proceeds to the Hawaiian Humane Society, where two of the girls adopted dogs. All of the girls acknowledged the encouragement of their teacher, Kris Schwengel, and the support of their families in raising the money for the donation.

FOR UH • FOR HAWAIʻI, The Campaign for the University of Hawaiʻi, is focused on raising $1 billion to support UH priorities on all 10 campuses across the state, including student success; research that matters; kuleana to Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi; sustainability, resilience and conservation; innovation and entrepreneurship; building Hawaiʻi’s workforce; and engaging our community. Learn more at uhfoundation.org/4UH4HI

The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. The mission of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is to unite donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations www.uhfoundation.org.