Update on Yo's Battle with Aggressive Brain and Lung Cancer

In December 2023, we rushed Yo to the ER when he experienced severe respiratory distress and extreme fatigue. Doctors quickly discovered that the right side of his chest was filled with fluid, and there was a suspicious mass in the upper lobe of his lung.

Over the next few days, Yo underwent a series of tests, imaging, and a lung biopsy, which revealed devastating news. On December 9th, he was diagnosed with EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer, a rare and terminal form caused by a genetic mutation. To make matters worse, his cancer was already at Stage 4, having spread to his brain, bones, and lymph nodes by the time we learned of it.

Yo bravely faced his cancer treatment head-on. He had a chest catheter placed and began daily targeted therapy, hoping to slow the disease. He also underwent a 12-hour Gamma Knife Radiation procedure to treat his multiple brain tumors, where high-dose radiation was used in an attempt to save the healthy tissue around them.

Despite these efforts, Yo’s condition has worsened. He recently developed neurological symptoms that made daily life incredibly painful. Tests confirmed the cause: leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, where cancer has spread to the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. This has caused extreme sensitivity to daylight, partial blindness, chronic migraines, memory loss, muscle stiffness, and unbearable nerve pain radiating down his limbs.

Our family is overwhelmed by the weight of this battle emotionally, physically, and financially. Yo has endured so many tests, specialized treatments, and therapies that have strained his body and mind. The financial toll is immense, with bills from ongoing treatments threatening our family’s stability.

Despite everything, Yo holds onto hope for recovery. His greatest wish is to access the neurological care and rehabilitation he needs, to gain more time with his loved ones. Every new day is a blessing to him, especially when it means more time with his two beloved sons, Cameron (16) and Kyler (12). They are his proudest achievements and his reason to keep fighting every single day.

As Yo’s family, we are supporting him in every way possible. With his blessing, we are sharing his story with you, his cherished community of friends, colleagues, and loved ones. We hope not only to raise the crucial funds for his treatment but also to build a network of love and solidarity around the Fujikawa family.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings Yo closer to the specialized care he desperately needs. Your generosity will help secure expert consultations and treatments that offer him a chance for more time with his family. Thank you for standing with us during this incredibly difficult time. Your support means the world.

With heartfelt gratitude,

—The Fujikawa Family: Jaime, Yo, Cam, and Kyler