To the family of Cherese Mari Laulhere,

We live in Hawaii. My daughter Naomi was born with a congenital heart defect 16 years ago. She was blessed with a heart transplant in August of 1999 at UCLA Medical Center, Naomi has been in good health since the transplant, and went to camp for the first time in August 2000. She just got back from this year's camp so I was looking through the Camp Del Corazon website for pictures from camp. This is where I found a link to your website.

I want to thank you for supporting Camp Del Corazon. It's been an experience that gives her perspective, it gives her a place to be herself, it allows her to relate to others who live like her, have the same fears, the same kinds of challenges. She gets to be with adults who exemplify everything we hope for our children to aspire to, and it's really good fun on top of it all!

Many people don't realize that there are many issues for "cardiac kids"- the uncertainty, daily medications, immune system issues, diet, etc. We don't even know other cardiac teens in our community. Going to camp these past two years has had a profoundly positive impact on how she sees herself and her life. She looks forward to going next year, and then the following year as a "CIT" counselor in training.

Thank you for helping to make that possible.

I also want to share that while she was a UCLA, the dogs came! PAC- People- Animal Connection (pet therapy, Cherese supports) A simple activity that brought us smiles- and a brief respite from the very difficult struggle she was in to stay alive, waiting for a heart.

You are so special to keep your daughter's spirit alive in the face of your deep loss. Thank you for enriching our lives with you generosity and love.

Aloha pumehana-fond aloha,

Naomi's Mom