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The Mauli Ola Foundation
One on One with James from Mauli Ola
We had the opportunity to catch up with the founder of the Mauli Ola Foundation for a quick Q & A. Here's an excerpt of what the Mauli Ola Foundation is all about.
So how did this all start? What got you taking kids with Cystic Fibrosis surfing? Well my brother Charlie and I started a company called Ambry Genetics in 2000. Cystic Fibrosis was our first test. We have also been surfing our entire lives, so when we heard about the connection between Surfing and CF on CNN it was an instant no –brainer to start getting CF patients surfing. We called up the CF Clinic at CHOC and then called Jamie O’Brien and he came over from Hawaii to help down at Newport Beach with Brad Ettinger and Cordell Miller. After that CF families from around the country started to call asking if we could have one in their area. So we started the Mauli Ola Foundation and are about to have our 11th event, the Haleiwa event Dec 6th.
Briefly explain what your foundation represents? The Mauli Ola Foundation (MOF) was established in May, 2008 to help people with genetic disorders by introducing them to natural treatments. Currently, we take children and young adults with Cystic Fibrosis surfing because it has been suggested by researchers that the saline acts as a natural treatment by hydrating the lungs creating better lung function. The saline is not a cure, but is a treatment. We believe that by introducing these patients to surfing in a fun and safe environment provides an immediate, yet temporary alleviation of their symptoms. Our mission is to let everyone with Cystic Fibrosis and the surfing world know about this amazing connection between CF and Surfing while at the same time actually getting CF Patients surfing.
How can a person with Cystic Fibrosis be a candidate for the Mauli Ola Foundation? Anyone with CF is welcome to participate at one of the Surf Experience Days. They are free for all CF Patients. The SED are for them and their families.
Do the kids get to interact with the professional surfers? Yes, we pair up each student with a professional surfer or surf instructor. It’s a one on one surf lesson that the kids never forget.
Who are the main surfers that contribute their time to this cause? Kala Alexander, Gavin Beschen, Shawn “Barney” Barron, Alex Grey, Dusty Payne, Jeff Booth, Mitch Coleburn, Lisa Anderson, Reef MacIntosh, Kyle Knox, Buttons, Makua Rothman and Jamie O’Brien, TaiVan Dyke, Kamalei Alexander, Dave Wassell, Hans Hagen, Steve Chew, Erik Nelson and many others.
Where does the money raised go to? All of the proceeds go to our cause, namely the Surf Experience Days (SED’s), and the awareness events.
When is the next event coming to Orange County? I believe we have the next SED in O.C. at Newport in June 2010 sponsored by Ambry Genetics, Volcom, Flexfit and A-Med Healthcare.
How have you been getting the funds to hold these SED’s? Well Ambry Genetics has been our biggest financial supporter, Flexfit Headwear also has been a tremendous help and has signed on again as a national sponsor for 2010. A-Med Healthcare has been great too. We recently received the 2009 SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association) Humanitarian award and that grant will help us tremendously in 2010. We also have Golf Tournaments and Concerts to help raise money and awareness. If anyone wants to make a donation they can on our website too. Mauliola.org
What are the future plans for Mauli Ola? On Dec 6th we have our Hawaii SED at Haleiwa State Beach on Oahu. A lot of top pros are coming down to help out at this event. This one is sponsored by Da Hui, Volcom, Flexfit, Hansen’s Beverages, Ambry Genetics and A-Med Healthcare. The surf legend Buttons Kaluhiokalani will be donating his surf school for the second year in a row. Next year we are holding a National CF Surf Experience Tour that will travel to HI, CA, TX, FL, SC, NC, VA, MD and NY. That’s going to be awesome.
How many kids a year do you get stoked on surfing and ocean awareness? So far we have taken 116 CF kids surfing and are aiming to get 200 more CF patients introduced to surfing by next Sept.
Any last words?
All this would be impossible without the backing of Charles Dunlop (my brother) CEO of Ambry Genetics – we started Ambry together in 2000 and now we’re the worlds authority in Cystic Fibrosis diagnostic testing among other diseases, we’ve also been surfing Salt Creek since we were 10 years old.. Also Flexfit has been huge. We are really stoked about all the support we have gotten from the surf community and CF families. We are really having a positive effect on so many people. We encourage everyone to come down to help cheer on and support our CF surf students at the SED’s, they are really enriching experiences for everyone. It really is an amazing connection between CF and Surfing. Who would ever imagine that surfing can act as a natural treatment for the #1 most common fatal genetic disease in the United States for children under 18. Thanks for your time. Aloha, James
Please visit this link to learn more about the Mauli Ola Foundation.
