Love for Marlene "Marz" Tsubaki
Donation protected
We always think we have time.... that these things won't happen to us... we're too young.... I'm too busy...
You're never prepared when you hear the words, "I'm sorry, but you have CANCER."
Marlene Tsubaki, "Marz", to many of us, was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer in December 2018. Our hearts sunk when we heard the news. We never, in our wildest dreams, ever imagined that at 42 years old a doctor would utter those words... "it's cancer".
Of course our immediate response, we'll fight this. Marz is young, she is strong, she is healthy...she works out... she can fight this.
Everything we just listed is true. She is too young. She is the strongest person we know. And she is fighting this with all of her might. She is incredible. I don't think any of us, faced with the same fate would have handled this with the grace and grit that Marz has. I'm sure there were many nights, privately behind closed doors where she cried and plead to God, "why me?" We may never know why her. But she continues to fight and this is why we are reaching out via Go Fund Me.
Marz will never be cancer free. According to the doctors, at stage IV pancreatic, you fight to prolong your life. We know what the statistics are. And while she chooses not to ignore it, she does choose to defy it. Marz has been an incredible warrior throughout this fight. Initially taking lethal doses of chemo that made her sick for days on end. Feeling as though she couldn't even raise her head. She kept showing up. Dropping to 90 pounds at times, she continues to fight. When her hair fell out, that was tough. That told the world she has cancer. I have never seen anyone ROCK a beanie or baseball cap the way she does.
Marz had to leave her job at Waikiki Elementary School shortly after being diagnosed to focus on chemo treatments. She misses her colleagues and the smiles of all the children who came in each morning and afternoon to the cafeteria. Her Waikiki Elementary School 'ohana continues to watch over her littlest, Behr, providing him the support he needs while mom is 'sick'.
We don't know what the future holds. What we do know is, Marz is the most loyal, dependable, supportive, "got your back" friend that anyone could ask for. She sets the bar for us as we turn to her in raising our children. She led the charge and made motherhood look like a breeze. Andrew just graduated from Kalani High School (age 17), Marley - an entering Sophomore (age 15) and little Behr - entering 1st grade (age 6). These children are her lifeline. It's why she fights. It's why she pretends to be fine. It's why she puts on a smile when all she wants to do is curl up and hide at times. As a mother, she does it for them.
Having the conversation with her big kids was the toughest decision for her. But we know every minute is more than valuable. Every minute, every hour, every day counts. And they need to make the best of it. Telling Behr in a way he understands proved to be one of the biggest lumps in her throat to swallow. We often think we need to filter it for them, or say it in a way they understand because they are so little. But they are smart... they know. So when Behr picked up hair from her pillow and said, "I wish I could put this back on your head so you don't have to wear the beanie all the time". And when she looks at her baby and says.... "mommy doesn't hurt, but mommy will never get better". They sobbed together. He buried his head on her chest and just cried for his mom.
Marz never felt the need or want to take her story to Go Fund Me. Putting it out there makes you vulnerable. Putting it out there causes a lot of conversation. Putting it out there makes it real.
This Go Fund Me, with Marz's blessing, has been created to help her as she continues to fight her battle. She has tried 2 types of chemo. The first was unsuccessful. We are awaiting to hear next week if this new chemo is working. Please pray for this. This Go Fund Me fundraiser will help us explore whether she is eligible for any other immuno therapy options or other drug treatments. This will also support her and the children as Marz has not been working for 6+ months.
We never want to think or say there may be a day that Marz is not here. No one wants to think that. But Marz is a strong and a wonderful mom who knows her children are young and will have needs in the future. All monies raised through this campaign will go towards Marz's healthcare. Any remaining monies will go to the children to ensure their needs will be taken care of.
Thank you for spending the time to read Marz's story. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Even if you are not able to support her financially, please post a message which will be shared with Marz. Your words of encouragement will give her strength. Above all, we really need a PRAYER TEAM. We pray for healing, we pray for understanding, we pray for acceptance and we pray for strength.
Thank you.....
Love,
Jolin, Kat, Nikki, Dale, Erin, Toni & Mel
Her sisters in love.... friends till forever.....
***UPDATE**** Some of you have asked about the “tip” portion of Go Fund Me. Please know, this is discretionary. Go Fund Me is a 0% platform fee. These is no “fee” to making a donation. The tip is optional. You can choose “other” and put $0.00 or any amount you choose if you want to support the Go Fund Me platform. All of the monies raised less 2.9% credit card processing fee goes to Marz. Thank you for your continued generosity, love, prayers and support.
circa 2018 and 1994
You're never prepared when you hear the words, "I'm sorry, but you have CANCER."
Marlene Tsubaki, "Marz", to many of us, was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer in December 2018. Our hearts sunk when we heard the news. We never, in our wildest dreams, ever imagined that at 42 years old a doctor would utter those words... "it's cancer".
Of course our immediate response, we'll fight this. Marz is young, she is strong, she is healthy...she works out... she can fight this.
Everything we just listed is true. She is too young. She is the strongest person we know. And she is fighting this with all of her might. She is incredible. I don't think any of us, faced with the same fate would have handled this with the grace and grit that Marz has. I'm sure there were many nights, privately behind closed doors where she cried and plead to God, "why me?" We may never know why her. But she continues to fight and this is why we are reaching out via Go Fund Me.
Marz will never be cancer free. According to the doctors, at stage IV pancreatic, you fight to prolong your life. We know what the statistics are. And while she chooses not to ignore it, she does choose to defy it. Marz has been an incredible warrior throughout this fight. Initially taking lethal doses of chemo that made her sick for days on end. Feeling as though she couldn't even raise her head. She kept showing up. Dropping to 90 pounds at times, she continues to fight. When her hair fell out, that was tough. That told the world she has cancer. I have never seen anyone ROCK a beanie or baseball cap the way she does.
Marz had to leave her job at Waikiki Elementary School shortly after being diagnosed to focus on chemo treatments. She misses her colleagues and the smiles of all the children who came in each morning and afternoon to the cafeteria. Her Waikiki Elementary School 'ohana continues to watch over her littlest, Behr, providing him the support he needs while mom is 'sick'.
We don't know what the future holds. What we do know is, Marz is the most loyal, dependable, supportive, "got your back" friend that anyone could ask for. She sets the bar for us as we turn to her in raising our children. She led the charge and made motherhood look like a breeze. Andrew just graduated from Kalani High School (age 17), Marley - an entering Sophomore (age 15) and little Behr - entering 1st grade (age 6). These children are her lifeline. It's why she fights. It's why she pretends to be fine. It's why she puts on a smile when all she wants to do is curl up and hide at times. As a mother, she does it for them.
Having the conversation with her big kids was the toughest decision for her. But we know every minute is more than valuable. Every minute, every hour, every day counts. And they need to make the best of it. Telling Behr in a way he understands proved to be one of the biggest lumps in her throat to swallow. We often think we need to filter it for them, or say it in a way they understand because they are so little. But they are smart... they know. So when Behr picked up hair from her pillow and said, "I wish I could put this back on your head so you don't have to wear the beanie all the time". And when she looks at her baby and says.... "mommy doesn't hurt, but mommy will never get better". They sobbed together. He buried his head on her chest and just cried for his mom.
Marz never felt the need or want to take her story to Go Fund Me. Putting it out there makes you vulnerable. Putting it out there causes a lot of conversation. Putting it out there makes it real.
This Go Fund Me, with Marz's blessing, has been created to help her as she continues to fight her battle. She has tried 2 types of chemo. The first was unsuccessful. We are awaiting to hear next week if this new chemo is working. Please pray for this. This Go Fund Me fundraiser will help us explore whether she is eligible for any other immuno therapy options or other drug treatments. This will also support her and the children as Marz has not been working for 6+ months.
We never want to think or say there may be a day that Marz is not here. No one wants to think that. But Marz is a strong and a wonderful mom who knows her children are young and will have needs in the future. All monies raised through this campaign will go towards Marz's healthcare. Any remaining monies will go to the children to ensure their needs will be taken care of.
Thank you for spending the time to read Marz's story. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Even if you are not able to support her financially, please post a message which will be shared with Marz. Your words of encouragement will give her strength. Above all, we really need a PRAYER TEAM. We pray for healing, we pray for understanding, we pray for acceptance and we pray for strength.
Thank you.....
Love,
Jolin, Kat, Nikki, Dale, Erin, Toni & Mel
Her sisters in love.... friends till forever.....
***UPDATE**** Some of you have asked about the “tip” portion of Go Fund Me. Please know, this is discretionary. Go Fund Me is a 0% platform fee. These is no “fee” to making a donation. The tip is optional. You can choose “other” and put $0.00 or any amount you choose if you want to support the Go Fund Me platform. All of the monies raised less 2.9% credit card processing fee goes to Marz. Thank you for your continued generosity, love, prayers and support.
circa 2018 and 1994Organizer and beneficiary
Melody Fukushima
Organizer
Honolulu, HI
wes ansai
Beneficiary
