For pediatric hematology and oncology nurse practitioner Erika Pearson, changing lives is more than a daily mission—it’s a lifelong purpose. Many of her earliest memories reflect an innate desire to make a difference, like spending her fifth-grade summer planning a community carnival with her friends to raise funds for the pediatric oncology department at her local pediatric hospital in Wisconsin. Now, as a medical provider at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children and valued Make-A-Wish Hawaii referral partner, Erika continues to inspire, heal, and advocate for children and families during their most difficult times.

After nursing school, Erika began practicing on the mainland, where she referred numerous patients for wishes; she even had her first encounter with Make-A-Wish Hawaii for one patient whose wish to go to Hawaii provided much-needed reprieve from a lengthy hospital stay. Says Erika, “Make-A-Wish Hawaii was able to help facilitate that wish for the family, and for once the hospital wasn’t their reality.”

When Erika fulfilled her own dream of moving to Hawaii and joining the team at Kapi‘olani five years ago, she immediately fell in love with the hospital’s mission and the local community. Seeking opportunities to further her impact, Erika was particularly passionate about continuing her work with Make-A-Wish. She now serves as the principal liaison between the hospital’s pediatric hematology and oncology team and our chapter, collaborating with physicians, social workers, families, and wish coordinators to make referrals, verify eligibility, and determine the most medically appropriate and impactful time for a wish to be granted.

According to Make-A-Wish Hawaii Director of Mission Delivery Kari Bogner, “Erika provides vital information prior to a wish being granted so that the wish team may plan the safest wish experience possible. It is unquestionably a team approach, but she is the ‘wish wizard’ of paperwork and communication with our team.”

Since her early days volunteering at her hometown hospital alongside family and friends, Erika has always valued a team approach to making a difference. In addition to her colleagues at Kapi‘olani and the staff at Make-A-Wish Hawaii, she also credits the donors and community supporters who help make life-changing wishes possible for local keiki fighting critical illnesses.

“It’s important to remember how essential the entire team surrounding the patient is in order to bring about hope,” says Erika. “It definitely takes a village to positively impact these patients and families.”

Erika sees this impact firsthand, listening to patients share their excitement about an upcoming wish, seeing their pictures, and hearing them express their gratitude even long after their wishes have been granted. For many, she says, wishes shine a positive light on an otherwise difficult journey, lifting the stressors of medical and financial burdens and allowing families time to reconnect.

“A wish is such a bright spot for the patients and their families, helping them through the hardships of their treatments,” she says. “It really shows us the multifaceted approach to a patient’s medical care and how the emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual journey is so important. Personally, it’s neat to be able to not only address the medical aspect of care for my patients but to care for the whole family unit and be part of them experiencing that positive aspect of hope.”

Erika aims to continue opening the lines of communication between medical providers and Make-A-Wish Hawaii, ensuring every eligible child may experience the hope and strength a wish brings.

Mahalo nui loa, Erika—we are deeply grateful for your partnership and care of our wish keiki!

To learn more about wish eligibility or to make a referral, please visit hawaii.wish.org.