Keilani

Keilani is a vibrant 11-year-old girl who enjoys skating, taking photos and hanging with friends/family. Her soul was filled with happiness and her laugh was contagious. Keilani loved word searches, puzzles and art. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at Children’s Hospital Orange County early February of 2025. She battled a month of chemotherapy and completed her induction phase. Due to further complications, she experienced side effects that ultimately led to her taking her last breath on March 9th, 2025 at 11:52am. Her sweet smile and soul will forever be in our hearts. She is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Dan

Dan Trinh passed away on Sunday March 9th, in our PICU with his very devoted parents and brother by his side. Dan was a beloved son, brother and friend. Dan's parents described Dan as a very loving and generous friend - often buying his friends food and gifts whenever he had money. Dan's parents were extremely generous with our staff throughout his treatment course, often bringing handmade egg rolls and different assortments of Vietnamese food to our clinic, Outpatient Infusion Center and inpatient unit. Dan was unbelievably sweet, soft-spoken and extremely kind to all our staff. It was often hard to get Dan to receive gifts, as he would tell our team to "give them to a patient who needs it." Dan's parents did everything in their power to make sure that Dan felt loved and cared for throughout his difficult cancer journey. It was truly an honor to care for Dan and support his parents. We will always remember Dan and he will forever be in our hearts. He is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Bryce

Bryce passed away on February 22, 2025 at CHOC with his family surrounding him.
Bryce was a talented football player at Orange Lutheran High School and was adored by his friends and teammates alike. Throughout his treatment, Bryce continued to be an important member of the football team. He had dreams of competing at the Division I college level and eventually playing in the NFL.

Bryce fought his cancer for more than two years. He never complained, no matter how sick he felt. While going through treatment, Bryce could be found with his signature headphones on but he was always listening to what was being said. He was mature beyond his years and wanted to be involved and make decisions regarding his treatment plan. Bryce continued to go to school daily after his recurrence and his parents made every effort to support him. Bryce is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Jabes

Jabes passed away on January 11, 2025 at home with his mother and cat Gatiti by his side. Jabes was frequently found at the CHOC nurses' station socializing and greeting anyone who walked by. He loved watching wrestling, drawing, and Sonic. His smile was contagious and lit up the room. Jabes was loving, affectionate, and funny.

With tenacity and bravery, Jabes battled his cancer for more than a year and a half. We will remember his smile, playfulness, and love that he exuded. Jabes is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
JoJo

Joseph, who was called JoJo by all who knew and loved him, brought so much life and joy to this world. He loved his parents and sister and filled their lives with so much happiness. JoJo was known for his sweet demeanor, signature chains, and handsome face. He will be remembered and loved always. JoJo is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Jackie

Jacqueline "Jackie" Abac passed away on October 14, 2024 at CHOC. She was surrounded with so much love from her family, her dog Peanut, and the CHOC team. Jackie was full of light and love for everyone she met. Jackie was sweet, sassy, loving, and playful. She loved to dance, play with Barbies, spend time with her family, and go to Disneyland; she even swam in the Special Olympics at her college. Jackie made such an impact and we will miss her tremendously. Jackie is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Allyson

Allyson was a 5-year-old young girl. She lived in Strathmore CA with her parents and baby sister. She was her daddy's little girl and loved her family very much. She was an expert at playing with dollhouses and dolls, loved to color and was learning to write her letters when she died after a long battle to recover form a bone marrow transplant. She will be missed by her parents and remembered by a large support network of friends and family and staff at the hospital who watched her brave battle. Allyson is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Maya

Maya Yue Enomoto died on July 23, 2024, surrounded with love from her family and friends.

Maya was joy incarnate. She loved people, always with a kind word or compliment – some of her favorites were reminding people how beautiful and smart they were, telling them to have a “Mayamazing day,” or a favorite, “happy wife, happy life.” Maya was an athlete; she played basketball and practiced tae kwon do. Maya loved food; her parents own a local sushi restaurant and she would also share how her parents (especially her Mom) were even better chefs than Gordon Ramsay. We miss her light and spirit every day, but we are so grateful to have known her. Maya is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
David

David Galdamez passed away in our PICU on July 3rd surrounded by his mom, loving siblings and extended family members.

David was a beloved son, brother, and friend to everyone that knew him. David had a special way of remaining positive through really difficult situations and was easily enthused by the gifts our team was able to provide. He loved all things Spiderman, Lego, puzzles and “old school video games.”

David loved food – especially string cheese with ranch. Although food was a tough topic for him, he was able to enjoy all the variety of foods CHOC had to offer.

David celebrated his last birthday with us at the hospital and despite having to be admitted, he shared that it was the best birthday he has ever had.

His battle against cancer was short, but his memory will be with us forever. We will always remember his sweet smile and enthusiasm.

David is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Giulia

Giulia was born premature and was diagnosed with liver cancer before 2 years old. Giulia was cared for by her dedicated parents, her caring grandmother, and loving older sisters. The family welcomed a baby boy in December of 2023. Giulia was a strong and sweet girl with a love of Elmo and her beautiful sisters. She had many months of treatment but unfortunately did not survive her aggressive cancer. She is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Jordan

Jordan was diagnosed at age 19 and underwent extensive chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. He lived with his mother, and she was his rock and support, spending every admission with him and supporting him every step of the way. He was supported by his longtime girlfriend, Mercedes, and a large and loving family. Jordan recently lost his own father and will be buried alongside his dad. He will be remembered for his sweet smile, his love of food and laughter and his unwavering love for family. Jordan is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
German

German passed away on 2/10/2024 in our PICU surrounded by his loving parents, siblings and family members. German was a beloved son, brother and friend. German was adored by his classmates and would have his friends come to bedside to play video games when he was hospitalized. German took his style and wardrobe very seriously and was always dressed with button ups and stylish bucket hats. German really enjoyed Legos as well, and always had a Lego set by his side. German was always polite, softspoken and would open up to very few people. Those who had the honor of being let in felt very privileged to know him. German’s family was extremely devoted and never left his side through his difficult treatment course. We will always remember German and will miss him dearly. German is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Izzy

Izzy Jakubowski died early Sunday morning 1/28 in the comfort of her home, peacefully with her Mom, brother, stepdad, and beloved pets nearby. Her strong preference had been to spend the end of her life at home rather than in the hospital, and her family was able to honor her wish with the assistance and support of Providence Hospice.
In the 20 months since her initial rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosis and through the arduous treatments, recurrences, progression, and the brutal complications she endured, Izzy, among many other admirable feats: finished her junior and senior years of high school, attended all her senior year milestone events, started college, invested in deep and special romantic relationships, traveled to the Midwest to visit elderly relatives (even making sure to buy and wrap special presents and write cards for them), checked off items on her bucket list (including getting a matching tattoo with her Mom), and even ordered gifts for her family on Amazon a few days ago, requesting that they wait to open them until after her death, and including personal notes with each one.

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Rudy

Rodolfo (Rudy) Gallardo passed away on 1/18/2024 surrounded by his loving family. Rudy was a beloved son, brother, grandson and friend to many not only in the oncology unit at CHOC, but in our pediatric cancer community.

Rudy was a very talented Lego Stuntz builder, loved Roblox, and was a very great big brother.

Rudy was patient, kind, and silently sweet throughout his long and grueling journey of treatment. Rudy battled a long fight against his aggressive cancer and never complained to our team with all of his pokes, procedures and long admissions.

We will always remember and miss him. Rudy is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Erick

Erick was a 20 year old young man who was treated for recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma since the age of 3. Throughout treatment, including amputation of his arm, Erick stayed strong and brave. He was called Yoshi by his family and friends and loved to play video games. He treasured time with his loving family and was very close to his parents and two younger sisters. In the months before he died, Erick told everyone his goal was to film the story of his life so he could help others facing cancer. Erick is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Hazel

Hazel was a beautiful and friendly 8 year old girl who was cared for by her loving mother and lived with her two younger siblings. Hazel was diagnosed and treated for acute lymphoblastic Leukemia and just shortly after died from sepsis. She loved to dance and watch movies with her mother. She was developmentally delayed and did not speak but enjoyed the comfort of her home, loving mother and all who cared for her. Hazel will be very missed. Hazel is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Jamie

Jaime was a 15 year old young man who became ill very quickly and was urgently diagnosed with leukemia. He lived with his parents and had 5 step sisters and brothers who were all very close to him. He had plans to work with his father after high school and was close to his whole family. He was kind and considerate and loved by many. Jamie is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Aaron

Aaron was a brave young boy who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma just 10 months before his death. He was cared for by his loving father Raj, and by his mother and four step siblings, grandparents, uncles and extended family. His charm and sense of humor won the hearts of many staff members. He loved video games and fast food. He had a style all his own and wanted more than anything to spend time with people. He was a true warrior. Aaron is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman
Arturo

Arturo was a beautiful 4 year old young boy who was living with his loving parents and two older sisters. He has been treated for most of his young life including receiving three bone marrow transplants. Arturo loved trucks and cars and was very playful and happy. He was comforted by his mother and father who were always at his bedside to keep him comfortable. Arturo is forever with us!

Read More
Kelsey Testman