Help my friend overcome cancer treatment

Dear Friends,

I'm fundraising on behalf of my dear friend, S.Y., who lives in Japan and is currently facing multiple life-altering challenges. In the midst of a beautiful moment—he and his wife are expecting their first baby in August 2024—he was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer.

I met S.Y. in 2015 while working with elite athletes in Tokyo and Nagoya. He was a close friend of one of the athletes I supported. Back then, his dream was to become an Olympic-level athlete. Sadly, after just three years, a severe lower back hernia forced him to retire from competitive sports.

As he tried to rebuild his life, more hardship followed. In his third year working a full-time job, his father suddenly passed away, leading to a period of deep depression and a leave of absence from work. Despite these difficulties, S.Y. remained kind, thoughtful, and resilient.

During a visit to Nagoya for a conditioning session, he and I connected deeply. He once told me I inspired him through my warmth and my commitment to building relationships where everyone feels valued. That conversation led him to his next purpose: supporting others through sports, even if he could no longer compete.

Then, COVID-19 hit.

In August 2023, S.Y. contracted COVID and experienced severe long-term aftereffects, including fatigue and dizziness, which made working impossible for over a month. By November, he developed serious symptoms—headaches, eye pain, and neck issues—that led to the discovery of shadows on his lungs. It was during this difficult time that he learned about his lung cancer diagnosis.

His health struggles didn’t start there. Back in 2022, he was tested for tuberous sclerosis, a rare condition involving brain calcification and skin vitiligo. Thankfully, no internal tumors were found, but doctors continue to monitor him regularly, and if his condition worsens, it may require immediate brain surgery.

Despite everything, S.Y. continued to work as a delivery driver and grave cleaner, doing what he could to make ends meet. But due to his worsening condition—severe dizziness, muscle weakness, and weight loss—he had to stop working entirely in late 2023. To survive, he borrowed 1 million yen (~$7,000 USD) just to pay rent and keep his business afloat.

Now, he needs urgent help.

How You Can Help

We are seeking to raise $40,000 to cover the following:

Medical Expenses: $24,000

For cancer treatment (lungs and potentially brain), including surgery and follow-ups.

Living Costs: $6,000

($500/month x 12 months for food, transportation, daily needs)

Monthly Bills: $9,000

($750/month x 12 months for rent, utilities, internet, etc.)

Baby Essentials: $2,000

To prepare for the arrival of their first child in August 2024.

Thanks to early donors, his outstanding $2,000 in medical debt was paid off by the end of December!

Why Your Help Matters

I've already lent S.Y. over $6,000, but as much as I want to keep helping, I also have my own family to support. That’s why I encouraged him to start this GoFundMe, so we could ask our wider community to help this incredibly kind and resilient person get back on his feet.

Even small donations can make a big difference. With your support, S.Y. can:

Access critical treatment for lung cancer

Cover basic living costs while he's unable to work

Stay strong for his wife and their unborn baby

Continue giving back through his work helping others

Despite everything, he remains hopeful and determined. His goal is simple but powerful: to get well and be there for his child when they are born in August 2024.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, prayers, and support. We will keep you updated on his condition and the baby's progress along the way.

With deep gratitude,

Aki Kawasaki

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2022／10月

突然の目眩、フラつきにより耳鼻科を受診しました。

その後、脳神経内科を紹介されました。

検査の結果、脳内の石灰化、体の皮膚への白斑の症状確認により結節性硬化症という日本で指定難病に認定されている病気の疑いをかけられました。

その後、大学病院へ転院し結節性硬化症の検査が始まりました。

検査の結果、体内への病変が発見出来なかったことより経過観察となり3ヶ月に一度脳の検査をすることになりました。

石灰化（良性の腫瘍）の症状が大きくなれば即手術で指定難病に認定されてしまいます。

もちろんそうなった時の蓄えもありません。

そのような状況の中、配送ドライバーとして仕事を継続しました。

体調の波がありつつも仕事をしていましたが、2023年10月に新型コロナ感染してしまいました。

その後、1ヶ月半後遺症により仕事をできず収入の低迷し、支払いが出来ず、知人に約100万円程の借金をしてなんとか事業継続、生活が出来るようになりました。

そんな矢先、2023年11月中旬突然、左側の頭痛、左目の裏の熱っぽさ、左首筋の痛みにより緊急搬送されました。

その後の検査により、筋肉細胞の破損の疑いがあり筋電図測定検査を受け現在に至り結果待ち、12月27日に再度テストします。

ここ1ヶ月で10キロもの体重減少により、体力、筋力低下、目眩による車の運転を制御される為仕事を出来ずにいます。

パソコンでできる仕事を探して行っても、30分弱で体力に限界がきてしまい、なかなか思うように在宅の仕事ですらできていません。

個人事業主として仕事を継続して行く為に昼夜問わず仕事をしていたことにより悪循環に陥って苦しい生活から抜け出すことが出来ずにいます。

医療費も含め、今後治療等に必要なお金、生活費などの心配があり人生の先が見出せずにいます。

せっかく仕事を起動にのせようとしても体の正確な原因が2年経つ今でも正確な結果が出ていない現状です。

助けていただけるのなら助けていただけたら、命が救われます。

正直、「健康」が不安定で、先行き不安すぎて、生きた心地がしません。

————————-

小さな頃からの夢

スポーツ選手になることでした。

幼い頃から走るのが大好きで、日本の文化でもある箱根駅伝に出たいという思いから友達と遊ぶのも鬼ごっこなど走る遊びが多かったです。

そんな時転機が訪れたのは高校時代でした。

競歩競技に出会いそのまま推薦で大学進学へ

夢は日本代表になる為。

しかし、入学して1ヶ月。

腰のヘルニアを発症、僅か3年で競技者としてピリオドを打つ決意をしました。

小さな頃からの夢が絶たれた瞬間です。

そんな絶望の中、就職をすることを決意した。

しかし、社会人3年目の秋に突然父親の他界。

暫くは、鬱に悩まされ会社を休職…

治療の為、名古屋を訪れた時あきさんと出会いました。

あきさんの印象は、人との出会いをとても大切にし、全ての人が平等常に幸せになれる関係性を常に考えてる。周りに関係してる皆をハッピーにしてくれる。そんな温かい人間性の方だなと思いました。

そして、あきさんの様に皆に手を差し伸べられる人間になりたいと独立を決意しました！

そして、競技者として夢は絶たれましたがサポート側としてスポーツに携わって行こう！そう決めました。

しかし、またしても大きな壁に押し潰されてしまいました。

それが2020年新型コロナの感染拡大です。

計画していたイベント行事など全てをキャンセル。

それと同時に並行して行っていた作業も関連資材の入荷遅れで思うような人生を送ることができませんでした。

2022年12月コロナも落ち着いてきた頃、突然目のふらつき、頭痛、吐き気、動悸などの症状が現れました。

病院で診察を受けても初めは頭痛薬などの処方だけでした。

しかし、2023年10月一向に良くならず大きな病院へ転院。

そこで、はじめて脳の中に石灰化（良性の腫瘍）があることで結節性硬化症の疑いがあることの説明を受けます。

しかし、色々検査をしましたが診断するにはまだ症状の条件を満たしていないので経過観察しましょう。

そう言われて定期的に受診を続けています。

2023年8月新型コロナ感染

その後1ヶ月半後遺症に苦しみ仕事をすることもできませんでした。

そして11月突然頭痛、左眼球の痛みにより病院を受診。

再度精密検査を行い、肺に影があると説明を受ける。

今後の検査でどの様な結果になろうとも必ず元気になって、今後は、配送ドライバーとして皆様に商品のお届けや、お墓のお掃除サービスの代行など足が不自由で掃除に行けず困ってる人を助けて行きたいのでしっかり頑張りたいと思います。

———————

「健康」になって、「新しい」家族のためにも、順調に働きたいです。

将来ビジョンとして、日本の運送ドライバー不足問題やお墓の管理問題を解決できるサービスを提供していきたいので、なんとかゆっくり治療に専念できるだけのお金の余裕が欲しいのが現実です…

結節性硬化症と認定されるには、体の内臓に病変が発見される場合に認定されます。

その場合、脳内にある石灰化（良性の腫瘍）が大きく成長していくようなら即手術が必要。というより手術しか今の所治療法がありません。

現在の収入源は、pcで動画への文字起こし

30分程作業すると1日の限界がきてしまいます…

医者からは、出来るなら今は「絶対安静」と告げられ、今まで行っていた仕事はできていません。国のサポート制度も探していますが、該当するにはもっと大きな手術やハンディキャップがあるか、なかなか生活のサポートすらしてもらえません。

現在の状況、肺がん初期ステージ1。

3ヶ月後と5ヶ月後にフォロー健診があります。

100円でも助かります。

私自身元気になり、今後生まれてくる赤ちゃんにもなにも心配しなくて良いような生活ができるようにすることが今の目標です。

よろしくお願いします。

--------------------------------

A Life Full of Setbacks, But Still Full of Hope

In October 2022, S.Y. suddenly experienced severe dizziness and visited an ENT clinic. He was referred to a neurologist, where scans revealed brain calcification and white patches on his skin, symptoms that led doctors to suspect tuberous sclerosis, a rare and intractable disease designated by the Japanese government.

He was transferred to a university hospital for further testing. Fortunately, no internal lesions were found, but the benign brain tumor must be monitored closely. If it worsens, emergency surgery will be required, and the disease would be officially recognized as an intractable condition.

Sadly, S.Y. has no savings to fall back on if this happens.

Despite the uncertainty, he continued working as a delivery driver, pushing through physical symptoms to support himself. But in October 2023, he contracted COVID-19, suffered long-term aftereffects, and couldn’t work for over a month. His income dropped drastically, and to stay afloat, he borrowed 1 million yen (~$7,000 USD) from an acquaintance.

Then, in mid-November 2023, he was rushed to the hospital due to a severe headache, pain behind his left eye, and pain in his neck. Doctors suspected muscle cell damage, and he underwent electromyography. Results are pending (with follow-up testing scheduled for December 27, 2023).

In just one month, he lost 10 kilograms (22 lbs). He now struggles with severe fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, and is no longer able to drive—making it impossible to continue working.

Although he’s tried to take on simple online jobs like video transcription, his condition only allows him to work for 30 minutes a day before he becomes physically ill with headaches, nausea, and exhaustion. As a self-employed worker who once worked day and night, he has fallen into a vicious cycle of deteriorating health and financial instability.

Despite numerous hospital visits and two years of medical evaluations, a definitive diagnosis has still not been found—but his symptoms persist and worsen.

A Dream Lost, A Purpose Reborn

Since childhood, S.Y.'s dream was to become a professional athlete. He loved running and dreamed of competing in the Hakone Ekiden (a prestigious university relay race in Japan). His life revolved around movement and training, and in high school, he discovered racewalking, which earned him a spot at university on an athletic scholarship.

Just one month into university, he developed a serious herniated disc, and after only three years, he had no choice but to retire from competition—his childhood dream shattered.

Trying to rebuild, he got a job. But in the fall of his third working year, his father passed away suddenly. He fell into depression and had to take time off work.

During this time, he met Aki in Nagoya, who inspired him to stay connected to sports in a new way—not as an athlete, but as a supporter of others. He decided to work independently and help others just as he had once been helped.

But then came COVID-19 in 2020.

Events he had planned were canceled, supply chains stalled, and his growing business fell apart again.

Recent Medical History and Cancer Diagnosis

In December 2022, when things seemed to be stabilizing, he began experiencing sudden dizziness, headaches, nausea, and heart palpitations. Initial checkups only provided painkillers, but his condition worsened.

In October 2023, he transferred to a major hospital. There, they discovered calcification in his brain and raised the suspicion of tuberous sclerosis. More testing was done, but no conclusive diagnosis could be made, so regular monitoring was recommended.

In August 2023, he contracted COVID again, and long-lasting symptoms left him unable to work for six weeks.

In November, after another hospital visit due to intense eye and head pain, a shadow was discovered on his lungs, which led to his Stage 1 lung cancer diagnosis.

A Baby on the Way – A Reason to Fight

Just as S.Y. received the devastating news about his health, he and his wife learned that they were expecting their first child, due in August 2024.

No matter what the diagnosis or prognosis is, he is determined to get well—for his baby, for his wife, and for the many people he still hopes to help through his work.

Even now, he dreams of contributing to society by offering services that address Japan’s delivery driver shortage and helping maintain gravesites for families who can’t visit them. His goal is to live with purpose, helping others while raising his child in a healthy, secure environment.

Fundraising Goal: $40,000 USD

We are aiming to raise $40,000 to cover medical costs and living expenses during his treatment and recovery:

Medical Expenses: $24,000

For lung cancer treatment (and possibly brain surgery if needed)

Basic Living Expenses: $6,000

($500/month × 12 months for food, gas, transportation, etc.)

Monthly Bills: $9,000

($750/month × 12 months for rent, utilities, internet, and essentials)

Baby Needs: $2,000

For preparing for the baby's arrival in August 2024

✅ Thanks to early donors, the $2,000 in past-due medical bills has already been paid off by the end of 2023!

A Final Message from S.Y.

“Even a single dollar can help.

My dream now is simple:

To regain my health, welcome my baby into a safe and happy life,

and keep working in ways that help others.

Thank you for supporting us.”