Place of origin: Yamanashi Prefecture

Year of moving to the US: 1987

Career:

After working in corporate pension management, real estate loans, and as an authorized insurance agent, I co-founded an IT company with my partner. I am currently semi-retired and working as a self-employed individual.

Role at FLAT:

Facilitator and program coordinator for patient support groups.

Thoughts on FLAT:

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 during my first cancer screening. I started participating in Japanese-language patient support groups as a survivor when my treatment was almost complete. At the time, I thought how much easier it would have been to have someone to share my feelings with in my native language when making treatment choices and undergoing chemotherapy. I want to use that experience to help other patients who are fighting similar battles.

Things I like:
Walking my dog, gardening, cooking and trying out different restaurants.