篠倉さんの闘病に皆さんのお力をお貸しください！

Dear supporters,

 

We have to make a sad announcement.

 

Teru passed away yesterday.

 

We avoid contacting his family, so we do not have all the details. We understand that he was taken care of at his parents' house.

 

Yesterday, I went through the correspondence with Teru.

 

Since he announced his battle against scirrhous stomach cancer in 2018, I had been following his fight against the disease on his social media, occasionally sending foodstuffs that might be effective in cancer treatment (bitter gourd tea, fermented garlic) to his home in Fukuoka, and sharing articles and other information that might be useful.

 

In September last year, Teru told me that the shortage of domestic stocks of the drug Abraxane was affecting his treatment schedule, and we began to communicate closely with each other to see what could be done. By then, I came to understand that the treatments and other methods he wanted to try are so expensive.

 

On October 11, we started preparing to launch a crowdfunding project on a crowdfinding site, which is different from what he himself had given up after his application was rejected. We thought that the key to passing the screening process would be that the project is organised by the people around him and not by himself.

 

We continued to prepare the introductory essay, correct it (no specific drug names or statements such as 'no insurance covered'), select photographic material and correspond with the crowdfunding office (e.g. submitting medical reports). At that time, we were also warned by the organisers that there is a risk that we would receive accusations for raising money for the treatment.

 

We passed the second review on October 27 and the site went live on November 1.

 

As you know from his SNS and this notice board, it was getting harder and harder for Teru to move his body due to the pain. Despite this, he continued to work for his family, which was very impressive.

 

In just over a week after the funding site was launched, the target amount of 1.5 million yen was reached, and over 2 million yen was eventually donated by 136 good people. We also received support from people who had never met Teru.

 

Since we started the crowdfunding, Teru had been in and out of hospital several times. There had also been surgeries.

 

Here are Teru's words, back then.

 

'I must live long and show my children how I fight. I must show love to them.'

 

'Thank you! I was in a bit of pain this morning, but I feel better now!'

 

'I am really surprised. I am happy. I gave up crowdfunding once, but I didn't think it would go this far. I can try expensive Opdivo without worrying about the spending.'

 

'I'm so grateful. I definitely have to live.'

 

'Thank you! I was fighting the pain, but I was saved!'

 

'Thank you so much. I can save my children by continuing my treatment.'

 

'Thank you so much. Miracles are still not easy to get. Anyway, I will believe in my body strength.'

 

'I really feel that if it wasn't for the power of all of you, the surgery wouldn't have been possible. I'm really believing it so these days.'

 

'Thank you. It's really saved my life. If the operation is a success, next time I have to save someone else!'

 

'When I think about the price of Opdivo, I was worried about my children's clothes and shoes, so I really don't know what to say now, thank you so much.'

 

'I'm going to make a video and I'm going to read out all the messages of supporters. I was just reading all the messages out loud while I was under the medication. By reading them out loud at the same time as the medicine was dripping, I felt the medication soak into my body and I was so grateful for it. I believe that it will definitely work. I've come this far, believing that even the toughest operations I've had up until now have been a success.'

 

'I cried many times as I recited my message LOL. Good tears, indeed.'

 

'You really changed my life. I can't thank you enough.'

 

'To be honest, it's pretty tough every day, but I'll do my best with your help.'

 

We were able to meet Teru twice in Fukuoka, at the end of the year when he was in hospital and at the end of February. He was told that he had only a few months to live in mid-February but continued to work even after his health suddenly deteriorated and he was sent back home. It is amazing.

 

The last two-way communication was on March 8, when he was told by the doctor that he had a few more months to live.

 

'I was told last night that I have between one and three months to live. 'I'm going to keep trying until the last minute, but I'm going to be discharged from hospital and I will spend more time with my family.'

 

'I'll tell the children next week, but I'm going to try to make sure our final days are a blessing for them.'

 

'I feel sorry for the children, I'll do my best to stick around as long as I can.'

 

'I told my eldest son that my doctor told me that I might not have a month to live. My eldest son was strong. I know he was scared, but he said he would hang in there.'

 

'It's already been a week since I was discharged from hospital, so I have three weeks left. When I think about it, I am really anxious and I can't catch up with my thoughts. Anyway, I'll keep preparing too, so that the children don't have to suffer.'

 

Thanks to his supporters, Teru had been able to continue his expensive treatments and therapies without interrupting his four children's schoolwork and extra-curricular activities. Above all, the warmth and enthusiasm he had received from everyone had enabled him to show his children how their father lived his life.

 

For now, we just pray that Teru can rest in peace after his struggle.

 

As one of the remaining spokespersons for Teru, I would like to thank all of his supporters once again.

 

Thanks to your kindness, Teru's life shone brighter at the end. The light will continue to shine on his four children.

Thank you very much.