“Pack your flipflops. You are going to Hawaii!”

For 12-year-old Karina Palko and her family those words marked a special wish reveal by Kaiser Permanente Roseville and the Make-a-Wish Foundation of America. Make-a-Wish, which grants wishes to seriously ill children, is sending the Palko family on an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii in January.

A lifelong Kaser Permanente patient, Karina was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was born.

It has not been an easy road for Karina. As an infant, she relied on feeding tubes. Now, she receives twice daily breathing treatments, each lasting an hour.  Yet through it all, her care team says Karina has remained strong.

Karina loves swimming, hiking, and nature, which is why she’s always wanted to visit Hawaii.

Now thanks to Make-a-Wish, Karina and her family will soon pack their bags and spend 6 days soaking up the island life.

“Hawaii was my wish because it’s such a beautiful place,” she said, adding that she’s looking forward to snorkeling, parasailing, and getting a close-up look at sea life.

An unbreakable spirit

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in various organs. It can cause serious breathing problems and lung disease. 

Over the years, Karina has had several surgeries on her nasal area and has had to be treated in the hospital for her condition.

“It’s not as easy as people may think to just go and run because of my breathing,” she said. “But thanks to the help that Kaiser Permanente has given me, I can now run and play soccer.”

Diana Go, MD, is one of Karina’s pulmonologists. She is part of the cystic fibrosis care team of 10, which includes 3 pediatric pulmonologists, 2 registered nurses, 2 respiratory therapists, 1 dietitian, 1 social worker, and 1 genetic counselor.

Dr. Go said living with cystic fibrosis is challenging, especially for an active 12-year-old. That’s why she and others are thrilled to see Karina get the opportunity to travel to Hawaii.

“Just imagine receiving inhaled medication and doing therapy 2 times a day in addition to her schoolwork and other activities,” she said. “This wish will be amazing for her.”

Other sick kids in need of wishes

At the celebration, Karina’s care team surrounded her and her family as they revealed her wish had been granted. She was given a paper chain covered with messages of encouragement, written by the providers who have cared for her since birth.

To help her count down the days until her trip, Karina will remove a link from the chain every day.

Kelli Miller, senior director of mission delivery and outreach for the Northeastern and Central California Make-A-Wish chapter, thanked Kaiser Permanente for its long-time partnership and support.

“In the last five years, Make-A-Wish has granted wishes to 127 Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients, and 37 are from this year alone,” Miller noted.

But there are still many more waiting for their wishes to be granted.

To help, Kaiser Permanente is donating $15,000 to Make a Wish, so another child’s dream can come true.

For those who have cared for Karina over the years, it was a special day seeing her get the trip she has always wanted.

“I hope she has a chance to relax and be herself during the trip,” said respiratory therapist Bryan Carbaugh. “I hope this trip brings great memories for her and her family for many years to come.”