乳がんと闘う母へ、恩返しの旅を贈りたい

Introduction

Hello, I’m Ami Umeno, a university student in Hiroshima, Japan aspiring to become a midwife.

On April 16, 2025, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was told it was stage II.

My mother is still in her 40s—how could she have cancer?

That April, even in the middle of my university lectures, I often found myself crying without realizing it. Over and over. I just couldn’t hold back the tears.

Why I Started This Project

The day we found out about the breast cancer—

That day, when I came home from school and my mom turned to face me, I knew I would never forget the look on her face.

She was holding back tears, desperately trying not to let them fall.

And she said, “Well, it can’t be helped. It is what it is,” with a forced smile.

That image of her, trying to be strong, being her usual kind and caring self—

It’s something I’ll never forget.

Seeing her like that, I couldn’t think about anything else.

My dreams, my goals—they all stopped mattering.

All I kept thinking was, “I want my mom to see her grandchild someday.”

What My Mom Taught Me Through Cancer

Four days after the diagnosis, I was arguing with my younger sister when my mom said this to me:

“Doesn’t it all just feel… not that important anymore? Like, people stuff. I used to get irritated a lot, but now that I have cancer, I feel like I’m becoming more forgiving.”

After treatment started, her hair fell out in large clumps, and her whole body was in pain.

But one morning, she came out of the bath laughing and said,

“Look! Don’t I look like No-Face?”

She showed me a clump of fallen hair curled up on the floor. She was laughing, “Fufufu.”

My mom… was growing in her own way.

Cancer taught her how to find joy in the little things in life.

My mom is alive. I’m alive. I have my family.

sister

dad and mom

Because of cancer, I’ve been able to reflect on who I want to be right now, how I want to live my life, and I’ve learned to truly face myself and the people who matter most.

Cancer has brought us the gift of cherishing the present moment, and the joy of having loved ones close.

Where do I want my life to go from here?

Who do I want to be in 10 years?

What kind of effort is necessary to get there?

Of course, making life plans, working backward to figure out what you need to do now, and recognizing who you need around you are all important.

But right now, I have people in front of me.

I have friends who meet me yesterday and tomorrow.

Even if I don’t see them often, I know they’ll help me when I’m in need.

I am so incredibly fortunate. Thank you, everyone.

Having friends and family who support my dreams, who I can joke around with, who help me when I’m in trouble—that’s true happiness.

And being able to go to university, study, have a dream of becoming a midwife, and one day build a village in Africa where mothers and children can live and learn together—that is also a blessing I treasure.

Friends who traveled with me to Zambia, Africa

Living in the present, simply being alive now, is such a gift.

Thanks to the kindness of those around me, I’ve started to recognize the miracle of being alive.

The happiness I already have—I’m grateful for it.

That’s why I want to cherish the people in front of me now.

That’s the message that my mom and cancer have taught me.

About My Mother

My mother is a nurse. Both at work and at home, she’s strong, responsible, and never complains.

When she talks about her work, she looks so happy. She’s taught me the joy of working with people, the fulfillment of supporting others’ healing and growth.

From a young age, I saw the joy she took in being a nurse, and that inspired me to pursue the same path. I earned my nursing license this year and now I’m studying in a midwifery program.

My mom has always put her children first, no matter the situation.

Mothers are truly strong.

That’s why I want to support moms as they grow through pregnancy and parenting. That’s why I want to become a midwife.

And I want to meet people I’ve never met before.

Because I’m a bit of a coward, I want to become strong—so I go abroad.

I love adventure. This year, I traveled to India.

But my mom always tries to protect me.

Out of love, she tells me not to go abroad because it’s dangerous.

We always end up arguing before I leave.

But she always makes sure I have insurance and eventually sees me off.

Once, she said quietly, “I guess you’re going to achieve your dreams, huh?”

Because she believes in me, I believe in her too.

On the day she was diagnosed with cancer, she said:

“I want to help take care of your kids, so I’ll fight! I’ll live long enough to annoy you with how long I’m around!”

“I’ll butt in on child-rearing—watch me!” (laughs)

So I believe in that future, where we’ll raise kids together as a family.

We traveled Bisei-cho together.

What I Want to Achieve Through This Project

My mother is undergoing chemotherapy until November and is scheduled for surgery afterward.

But breast cancer has a high recurrence rate.

So while her body is still relatively strong, I want to take her to Disneyland.

It’s a place full of family memories.

You used to take us every five years, remember?

We stayed at the Ambassador Hotel.

You loved Pirates of the Caribbean—you rode it three times in one day.

Mom, when your treatment is over, let’s go again.

Stage II breast cancer has a 5-year survival rate of over 70%, and with proper treatment, there’s a good chance for a full recovery.

I fully intend for her to live a long, full life.

But I’ve also learned from cancer the importance of living in the now and being present with the people who matter.

That’s why I sincerely want to give my mom a “thank you” trip.

The goal for this project is 510,000 yen.(about3,400dollar)

It has two purposes:

First Purpose: Help cover part of my mother’s medical expenses (the total is about 700,000 yen(about 4,670 dollar), so the goal is 350,000 yen(about 2,335 dollar). I want to support my mom’s fight against cancer.

Second Purpose: As a thank you, take my mom on a trip to Disneyland.

How the Funds Will Be Used

・Part of the treatment cost: 350,000 yen

・Next Goal: Travel expenses for Disneyland: 160,000 yen

About the Return

・Just Support Plan

・Letter of Thanks (via mail or email) Plan

・Follow-Up Meeting / Meetup

I want to create a space where I can connect with everyone I meet through this project!

My dream is “to spread happiness through human connection.”

I want to share the hope and gratitude I’ve found through this experience with cancer.

Treatment Schedule

May 2025 – November 2025 (planned): 7 rounds of chemotherapy

December 2025: Surgery

From January 2026: 6 additional rounds of chemotherapy

Ways to Support This Project