Boy, 13, gets FBI's highest honor
Advertiser Staff
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Rochan Pinho, the 13-year-old Makakilo cancer patient who helped raised more than $25,000 for victims of the Sept. 11 attack, was honored yesterday with the FBI's highest community award.
Rochan Pinho of Makakilo accepts the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award from Charles L. Goodwin, special agent in charge in Honolulu. Rochan, who is a cancer patient, raised more than $25,000 for the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund.
Rochan, who suffers from brain and spinal cancer, received the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award in a ceremony at the agency's Honolulu office.
In conferring the award, FBI officials say his efforts exemplified fidelity, bravery and integrity and inspired those around him with a community sense of pride.
Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, the then 10-year-old Rochan began raising money for the victims by selling hand-crafted patriotic pins and buttons, often at shopping centers and other community areas.
The remarkable thing about it, officials said, was that he did it all while undergoing treatments and therapies for inoperable brain and spinal cancers.
Yesterday's honor wasn't the first for Rochan. His fund-raising efforts have been acknowledged by New York Gov. George Pataki, Gov. Linda Lingle, the Fire Department of New York and other private and public organizations.
Despite continued health problems, Rochan is still raising money and awareness for charitable causes.
He also serves as an ex-officio member of the Mayor's Committee for People With Disabilities.
