Mateo's Journey: A Year of Strength, A Lifetime of Gratitude
Kristine Pendon-Okamura
Kristine Pendon-Okamura
Rady Children’s Health Orange County, formerly CHOC, holds a special place in our hearts, and our gratitude for the care and love given to Mateo and our family is immeasurable.
For the second year in a row, we are participating in CHOC Walk—what has become a meaningful family tradition—to raise funds for the hospital and the teams who have done so much for us.
Mateo was born with multiple congenital anomalies, including kidney, lung, and liver disease. We spent the past year at Rady Children’s—beginning in the NICU, moving through different units to meet Mateo’s evolving needs, and most recently in the PICU for six months. As his lung and kidney disease progressed, he faced many fragile and frightening moments. Through it all, our care teams stood beside us, providing not only expert medical care but also compassion, strength, and unwavering support.
We are deeply grateful for every nurse, specialist, respiratory therapist, and each member of Mateo’s care team. They showed us, every day, that their commitment extends beyond the patient to the entire family. They sat with us in the hardest moments and celebrated every milestone—big and small.
At Rady Children’s, we received more than care—we found a community and gained a second family.
We are firsthand recipients of the incredible healthcare programs, education, and research made possible through Rady Children’s Health Orange County. We will continue to do what we can to give back and help ensure other families have access to the same extraordinary care.
You can help us exceed our fundraising goal for the benefit of children's health and well-being.
- Donating now by clicking the $ button next to the team member you'd like to donate to below or
- Joining MATEO'S MAD HATTERS at this year's event by clicking the "Join Our Team" button on the right
Many thanks in advance for helping us write a new future for so many children and their families.
With Gratitude,
Kristine, Zach, Mateo, and Zebulon (the cat) <3
For the second year in a row, we are participating in CHOC Walk—what has become a meaningful family tradition—to raise funds for the hospital and the teams who have done so much for us.
Mateo was born with multiple congenital anomalies, including kidney, lung, and liver disease. We spent the past year at Rady Children’s—beginning in the NICU, moving through different units to meet Mateo’s evolving needs, and most recently in the PICU for six months. As his lung and kidney disease progressed, he faced many fragile and frightening moments. Through it all, our care teams stood beside us, providing not only expert medical care but also compassion, strength, and unwavering support.
We are deeply grateful for every nurse, specialist, respiratory therapist, and each member of Mateo’s care team. They showed us, every day, that their commitment extends beyond the patient to the entire family. They sat with us in the hardest moments and celebrated every milestone—big and small.
At Rady Children’s, we received more than care—we found a community and gained a second family.
We are firsthand recipients of the incredible healthcare programs, education, and research made possible through Rady Children’s Health Orange County. We will continue to do what we can to give back and help ensure other families have access to the same extraordinary care.
You can help us exceed our fundraising goal for the benefit of children's health and well-being.
- Donating now by clicking the $ button next to the team member you'd like to donate to below or
- Joining MATEO'S MAD HATTERS at this year's event by clicking the "Join Our Team" button on the right
Many thanks in advance for helping us write a new future for so many children and their families.
With Gratitude,
Kristine, Zach, Mateo, and Zebulon (the cat) <3
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