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It was a story that tugged at heartstrings and prompted people to make a difference in the life of a 14 year-old boy living with stage four brain cancer.



Teejay's bucketlist continues to get smaller and the support doesn't end there. "I just turned 16 two days before I heard about Teejay's story," says Whitney Kim.



Teejay Mamea is a 14 year-old Waipahu Middle School student who was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer and given six months to live. We shared his story last week and it really made an impact on this high school sophomore.

"It made me reevaluate my self," Whitney says.



Whitney had never met or seen Teejay before but she could identify with him because her loved ones have also been touched by cancer.



"I think sometimes in life, for me, I take things for granted especially the things that I receive and when I heard his story it made me think about things that I do in my life and how I need to change; and it really impacted me and especially my family also," she says.



The hospital volunteer and member of the Moanalua High School Community Service Club decided to put her passion in action and encourage others to support Teejay in making his last wishes come true.



"So I am challenging every student and student athlete - whether high school, elementary, middle school, public or private, that on May 11 they bring just one dollar to school and it will go to Teejay and his bucket list," she says.



An outpouring of support for Teejay and his bucketlist has resulted in many generous donations from the community including several hotel stays and a brand new Ko Aloha ukulele.



As one teenager to another Whitney hopes more can be done to ensure Teejay's happiness as he counts his final blessings.

"I have never done anything like this and I think its just a step of faith that I am willing to do to help him out," she says.

With Teejay's family's blessing Whitney has set up a fundraising account at Bank of Hawaii in his name.​


 

KHON2 NEWS ARTICLE: High school student sets up fund for Waipahu boy dying of cancer

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