Hello and thank you for taking a moment to visit this page.

I am creating this fundraiser for my dear friend, Noriko, and her three children, Mizuki, Marcus, and Zion, as they face an unimaginable loss. Noriko was one of my very first friends when I moved to the Midwest nearly 16 years ago, and I have watched her build a loving family and devote herself to her children in Garland Texas.

In January 2024, Noriko’s husband was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Since then, she worked hard to support their family, taking on additional shifts whenever she could while also caring for him. She continued working through his illness until August 2026, when his condition suddenly became critical and he was placed in hospice care. During his final week, Noriko had to put work on hold so she could be by his side and care for him until he passed away at 51.

Now, while grieving the loss of her husband and the children’s father, Noriko is also facing the reality of supporting three young children on her own.

This fundraiser will help cover funeral expenses, medical bills, and immediate living expenses during this incredibly difficult time. Noriko plans to return to Japan with her children eventually, where they will have the support of family as they begin their next chapter. Until then, I hope to help ease some of the financial pressure so she has a little breathing room to care for her children and get through the days ahead.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference for Noriko and her children. If you are not able to donate, sharing this fundraiser would also mean so much.

Thank you for helping surround this family with love and support during such a challenging time.

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こんにちは。

Norikoさんは、私が約16年前にアメリカ中西部に住み始めた頃に出会った、私にとって最初の友人の一人で長い年月の中、テキサス州へ移住した後も彼女がご主人とともに温かい家庭を築き、3人のお子さんを大切に育ててきた姿を見てきました。

2024年1月、ご主人が49歳という若さでステージ4の大腸がんと診断されました。それ以来、Norikoさんはご主人の闘病を支えながら、12歳の娘さんと7歳、5歳の息子さんたちとの時間を何よりも大切にしてきました。最後にはホスピスでのケアにも寄り添い、ご家族で大切な時間を過ごしました。そして長い闘病の末、ご主人は今年、51歳という若さで亡くなりました。

ご主人を見送った後、Norikoさんは3人のお子さんを連れて日本に戻り、家族のそばで支えてもらいながら、新しい生活を始めることを決めました。そのため、今回の募金目標は 8000ドル としました。

大切な人を失ったばかりのNorikoさんと子どもたちが、経済的な心配を少しでも減らし、家族で悲しみと向き合いながら、次の生活へ進んでいけるように葬儀費用や、まだ全額が分からない医療費、そして日本へ移るまでの当面の生活費などに、大切に使わせていただきます。

どんなに小さなご支援でも、この家族にとって大きな助けになります。

また、寄付が難しい場合でも、このページを周りの方にシェアしていただけるだけで本当にありがたいです。よろしくお願いいたします。

高橋めぐみ