Malakai Carey

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Malakai Carey was by all accounts a completely normal kid. However, at the age of 11, when he began middle school, his health massively declined. He was constantly sick, lost a lot of weight, and worst of all, no one could explain why. After months of testing, an ultrasound revealed a tumor of the size of a small football attached to his liver. A biopsy at Children's Hospital Los Angeles revealed an extremely rare form of liver cancer in April of 2019.

This tumor is normally found in toddlers; however, Malakai’s tumor was morphing into an adult cancer that was much more aggressive. After many months of Chemo, the tumor was reduced enough for surgery.

The following month the doctors delivered some hard news to Malakai and his family. Despite the successful surgery, he still had small, freckle-sized cancer spots on his liver. With the possibility of cancer returning, Makali was scheduled for a liver transplant and received his Gift of Life on November 25, 2019.

One of Malakai’s main goals in life is to give back to the community which gave him a new liver, new life, a new beginning and an opportunity to strive for his dreams. His cancer journey shaped him into who he is today with his passion to pursue a music career, continue acting, as well as plans to start a non-profit. Malakai has been a childhood actor since a young age in commercials, tv shows, movies, and cartoons. A few of his favorites roles are Modern Family, Jimmy Kimmel, 100 Things to do Before High School, and Miles from TomorrowLand.

He also developed his love for music during his cancer battle. Writing lyrics was a way of expressing his emotions. From then on, he knew it was one of the things he wanted to do with his life. He started taking piano lessons, taught himself guitar, and was singing all the time.

Over the last year, Malakai has taught himself how to produce his own music and soon plans to release his first single made completely by himself. It has been his dream to attend USC and study music there ever since 8th grade. So, this year as he was applying for college, he decided to aim high for his dreams. He couldn’t believe it when he read the letter that he was accepted into USC Thornton's school of music. He feels so blessed to be attending there this Fall.

Malaki wants to be a light and example in the world showing that even though someone can go through extreme life-changing circumstances they can still chase and accomplish their dreams.