Stroke of Life a Brush with Cancer
Donation protected
Hello my name is Takashi the youngest of four. I created this fundraiser for both of my parents Masataka and Shoko Hirabayashi.
Last October my mom Shoko had a severe stroke leaving the left side of her body paralyzed and causing severe brain damage. Since then our family has expended all our funds and every resource imaginable to pay for medical expenses, living arrangements and pay off several outstanding debts. My mom has made little to no progress in her rehabilitation and insurance no longer covers much of the medical expenses we need covered. Shortly after my mom’s tragic event my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. Since then my father has undergone a loboctemy (removed a lobe from his lung which contained a large tumor). He has recovered fairly well but continues to be under a great deal of pain.
We have no way to prepare for this situation right now. My family has no idea what we are going to do to continue to support them both. We are all financially taxed just trying to take care of our mother. The amount we need is unclear at this point because we are unaware of the treatment my father will need. We need all the help we can get. I am asking for any help or any donations to help with the care of my parents. We would greatly appreciate anything anyone can do.
Just a some history about my parents. My father, Masataka, immigrated to the US in his early teens entering into a time when several friends and family members were being confined in US internment camps, Masataka proudly joined the US Army before turning 18; following his fathers footsteps who earned a purple heart in the 82nd and 442nd infantry regiments. Masataka retired and was honorably discharged earning the rank of Sargeant.
For those that do not know, the 442nd was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in American history and composed almost entirely of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who fought in World War II.
My mother, Shoko, moved to America after graduating design school in Japan with the hopes and dreams of becoming a clothes designer.
While having no proficiency in the English language, Shoko immigrated to the US in an arranged marriage, with only 500 dollars in her pocket.
Masataka and Shoko worked extremely hard, raised 4 children and eventually each owned their own businesses.
Within a few short months after my mother's stroke, we have been forced to sell everything they had worked so hard for. We had to close down my mother’s shop and sell everything inside of it. We are experiencing mounting stressful situations as money becomes the real factor to the amount of care we are able to provide to our mother and father.
With the recent news about our father we feel hopeless and know it is time to ask those around us for help and support as we try to make the best out of an impossible situation. We thank you in advance for your support and your thoughts. Please feel free to reach out me with any questions or concerns via this site or email me at [email redacted]
Thank you very much for taking your time to read this and thank you for your support.
#helpingthehirabayashis
Last October my mom Shoko had a severe stroke leaving the left side of her body paralyzed and causing severe brain damage. Since then our family has expended all our funds and every resource imaginable to pay for medical expenses, living arrangements and pay off several outstanding debts. My mom has made little to no progress in her rehabilitation and insurance no longer covers much of the medical expenses we need covered. Shortly after my mom’s tragic event my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. Since then my father has undergone a loboctemy (removed a lobe from his lung which contained a large tumor). He has recovered fairly well but continues to be under a great deal of pain.
We have no way to prepare for this situation right now. My family has no idea what we are going to do to continue to support them both. We are all financially taxed just trying to take care of our mother. The amount we need is unclear at this point because we are unaware of the treatment my father will need. We need all the help we can get. I am asking for any help or any donations to help with the care of my parents. We would greatly appreciate anything anyone can do.
Just a some history about my parents. My father, Masataka, immigrated to the US in his early teens entering into a time when several friends and family members were being confined in US internment camps, Masataka proudly joined the US Army before turning 18; following his fathers footsteps who earned a purple heart in the 82nd and 442nd infantry regiments. Masataka retired and was honorably discharged earning the rank of Sargeant.
For those that do not know, the 442nd was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in American history and composed almost entirely of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who fought in World War II.
My mother, Shoko, moved to America after graduating design school in Japan with the hopes and dreams of becoming a clothes designer.
While having no proficiency in the English language, Shoko immigrated to the US in an arranged marriage, with only 500 dollars in her pocket.
Masataka and Shoko worked extremely hard, raised 4 children and eventually each owned their own businesses.
Within a few short months after my mother's stroke, we have been forced to sell everything they had worked so hard for. We had to close down my mother’s shop and sell everything inside of it. We are experiencing mounting stressful situations as money becomes the real factor to the amount of care we are able to provide to our mother and father.
With the recent news about our father we feel hopeless and know it is time to ask those around us for help and support as we try to make the best out of an impossible situation. We thank you in advance for your support and your thoughts. Please feel free to reach out me with any questions or concerns via this site or email me at [email redacted]
Thank you very much for taking your time to read this and thank you for your support.
#helpingthehirabayashis
Organizer
Takashi Jon Hirabayashi
Organizer
Campbell, CA
