Rafael Fernandes holds up a Vertical Sports jersey that was recently given to him. A Family Fun Day will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Hope Chapel Maui in Kihei to help the 9-year-old boy as he undergoes treatment for leukemia on Oahu. Courtesy photo

A small group of Maui residents is organizing a day of fun Saturday to support a 9-year-old boy and his family in their time of need.

To those who know him, Rafael Fernandes is a bright, loving boy who goes by “Rafa.” He is cheerful, kind and full of life, and he possesses a smile that is as contagious as it is warm, bringing hope to almost everyone he comes in contact with.

Shortly after celebrating his ninth birthday on Oct. 31, Rafa and his family received the kind of diagnosis no one wants to hear. Rafa has leukemia, and while the long-term outlook is hopeful, it appears he’s at the beginning of an extremely difficult journey.

“It’s a long, long treatment,” said Ben Prangnell, lead pastor at Hope Chapel Maui in Kihei and a friend of the family. “It could be two to three years, but if he can keep on the program, as I understand it from the last conversation from his mother, the studies say it’s a positive prognosis if you can keep on the chemo for that extended period of time.”

On Dec. 15, Rafa entered a second phase of intensive daily chemotherapy, often receiving IVs, injections and oral medications in a single day. This intense treatment will continue until his medical team determines he is stable enough to move forward.

On Dec. 29, Rafa faced one of his most challenging days so far with three chemotherapy treatments, plus spinal chemotherapy and spinal fluid removal.

Prangnell is one of the people who’s helping organize the Family Fun Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hope Chapel Church to aid Rafa and his family. Prangnell said the effort started out with a handful of people simply wanting to help, and it quickly picked up momentum from there.

Now, the Family Fun Day will feature a keiki zone with multiple inflatables, carnival games, live music, prize giveaways, a maze and obstacle courses. There will be vendors selling food and drinks, and they’ve assembled items for a garage sale and a silent auction, including a trip to Las Vegas valued at more than $3,000.

Courtesy photo

The event itself is free, but there will be opportunities to purchase items and to donate. Prangnell said 100% of the proceeds raised will support Rafa and his family by covering expenses related to his medical treatments, travel and care.

Rafa is currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House on Oahu while he receives medical treatment through the Queen’s Health Systems. His mother is staying with him on Oahu, and his father is commuting between the two islands.

In addition to the Family Fun Day, a GoFundMe page has been created to help Rafa and his family at tinyurl.com/25wrm4xn. As of Wednesday morning, the GoFundMe page had raised more than $33,000 with a goal of reaching $100,000.

“Every trip, every medicine, every day is tough,” Rafa wrote in a letter to his supporters. “I’m brave. I’m strong. With my family’s love and your support, I know I can win. Your prayers, donations, help with travel and medical costs would mean everything to me and my family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Courtesy photo

Prangnell said he visited Rafa and his mother on Oahu about two weeks ago and he could feel the weight the family is carrying. It’s a real challenge for them right now as the family is facing enormous emotional and financial challenges while doing everything they can to help Rafa heal.

Prangnell said he hopes the Family Fun Day on Saturday can raise enough money to take a little of the burden off Rafa and his family.

Prangell said he got to know Rafa through programs at Vertical Sports and has been extremely impressed by the 9-year-old who attends Kihei Elementary School.

“Oh my gosh, he’s incredible,” Prangnell said. “He’s got such an upbeat spirit. He’s super intelligent. He loves sports. His favorite sport is soccer, but I love that he tries them all. He really, when I visited him, he so impressed me with his courage, his strength and his attitude.”

Courtesy photo