Before he turned 1, their son was
diagnosed with severe hemophilia A.
“I’ll never forget that phone call,” Sara
recalled. “My knees got weak. You
begin realizing how serious it is.”
Hemophilia prevents the blood from
clotting properly. People with it are
always at risk for life-threatening bleed-
ing as well as spontaneous bleeding in
joints and muscles. Kapono has devel-
oped a factor VIII inhibitor—when the
body's immune system targets the
clotting agent, factor VIII, that medi-
cation is trying to replace in the blood.
“Children who have hemophilia, espe-
cially severe forms like Kapono, have to
replace this factor VIII every single day,”
Dr. Desiree Medeiros said.
IV since he was a baby.
“Actually, I don’t cry when
I get it, only sometimes,”
the 5-year-old said. For
Kapono, 9, there have
been more growing pains
from living with the disor-
der. “It doesn’t worry me
as long as I know I took my
shot in the morning,” he
said. “My doctor and my
parents’ main worry is joint
bleeds. Joint bleeds hurt,
sometimes it like hurts
a lot and you can barely
move your arm because
the blood just kind of
stays there.”
Above: Part of the Ace Cares for Kids Program included a $10,000
donation from Duracell that was made to Kapi’olani Medical Center
for Women & Children in honor of Kapono and Duke.
The boys have been treated at
Ace family across the state and the
The Pavao family had to adjust to
Kapi‘olani since they were babies at the
nation. Kapono and Duke will also be
Kapono’s medical condition, from the
Hemophilia and Thrombosis Treatment
the faces of the company’s fundraising
chance for infections in a port in his
Center of Hawai‘i. Their story resonated
efforts for Children’s Miracle Network
chest to keeping up with a fast-moving
with the Ace Hardware Foundation, a
Hospitals this year. Last year, Ace
toddler who would end up black-and-
dedicated supporter of the Children’s
Hardware raised $11 million for CMN
blue on his forehead, arms and legs. The Miracle Network Hospitals. In fact, they
Hospitals in the United States including
Kaua‘i couple started learning quickly
made a special exception to name both
Kapi‘olani. Kapono and Duke’s inspi-
what was minor and what was severe.
brothers the sixth annual National Ace
rational story will be shared with store
“The bruising depends on where it is
Cares for Kids All-Stars.
owners, staff members and customers at
(and what it’s from)—taking a step,
about 5,000 stores around the world.
playing with toys— you get used to
“Ace Hardware is really a family com-
it and you’re keeping your eye out for
pany,” Christine Doucet of the Ace
“To see them grow up and become all-
anything significant,” said Kaipo.
Hardware Foundation said. “So when we stars, and to be great examples of what
read Kapono’s story, one of the things
your life should be like with a chronic
Soon they had another baby boy, Keoni,
that stood out was that he was very
illness. It’s inspiring,” Dr. Medeiros said.
who was born healthy. Their third son,
brave and he taught his little brother
Duke, would come a few years later
to be brave. That story of family and
It’s a sentiment shared by their parents.
and would also test positive for severe
brotherhood would really speak to the
“You can be healthy and still be running
hemophilia A. This time though, they
people of our company.”
around with things that don’t affect what
felt prepared. “When we had Duke, we
you do every day,” Sara said. “It’s good
were able to do the same thing we did
In January, the Ace Hardware Founda-
for people to see that. Not everyone
for Kapono,”Kaipo said.
tion surprised the boys with their All-Star who goes to Kapi‘olani is sick. We
announcement in front of classmates,
definitely need their care, but they’re
For the boys, treatment is a normal
teachers, family and friends at Wilcox
not just sick kids.”
part of life. Duke has received factor
Elementary. The first ever All-Star
VIII infusions every morning through an
brothers will now be introduced to the
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