Help Aiko care for her mother living with a Brain Tumor

Hiroe has a brain tumor that has slowly and tragically stolen her quality of life. Her daughter, my dear friend Aiko, has cared for her mother all by herself for years. Aiko has supported them both on a very small salary, while family and community have turned their backs. I, and Aiko's other friends so far from her in the USA, have felt helpless as Aiko struggles to pay for even basic necessities. Aiko was forced to sell everything of value, including the piano she had since childhood. Aiko plays beautifully, so it's a terrible shame that she cannot even have the comfort of her music, but she had no choice.

Sadly, Hiroe's illness has progressed to needing more care than her daughter can provide. Hiroe suffered a bad fall late last year that sent her to the hospital. For the first time since high school, Aiko couldn't be with her mother for the holidays. After months of hoping her mother can come home, Aiko was told she must move to a nursing care facility because her dementia has progressed too far. Not only is Aiko unable to pay for her mother's care, she's facing these struggles alone. The facility in Japan is very limited. To Aiko, this isn't shocking by Japanese standards, but they don't even provide clean sheets. Aiko walks 3 miles to visit her mother and carries back her clothes and sheets to wash at home.

Aiko needs all of the support she can get. To start, I'm trying to raise money for things Aiko sorely needs. Her job barely covers the rent. Without a car or the means to pay for a taxi, Aiko cannot visit her mother very often. This is particularly sad because even Hiroe's sister does not visit her. She is alone most of the time.

I wired $1,000 of my own savings to help Aiko make ends meet in the short term. I don't have much myself, but I pledged that money, hoping to inspire enough people to match it so I can send another wire.

I'm not good at doing this, asking for money, but Aiko deserves help and needs it more than ever now. Please consider helping Aiko and Hiroe. Let them know they are in the hearts of many people, even if they are across the world. A few dollars can add up quickly. Sharing this campaign is a crucial step towards reaching the goal, please pass it on in your social media, church groups and anyone who can help get the word out to make this effort a success. Thinking of ways to raise awareness isn't my strength, so if anyone has a way to help do that, please, by all means let me know if there's something I missed.

Blessings and light to you all.