Frequently asked questions

Answered by a team member at Stomach Cancer Awareness Network (Hope for Stomach Cancer )

• What is your mission?

  Hope for Stomach Cancer provides resources to patients, caregivers and loved ones while promoting early detection and prevention to the general and medical communities. ‘Hope’ creates and facilitates programs that enable those affected by stomach cancer to take actionable steps and overcome each phase of the disease.

  Our Vision is to Bridge the Gap between Research and Patient Care.

• How are donations used?

  2020 had been most certainly a challenging year for us all, but even more so for those of us facing stomach cancer. The global pandemic and civil unrest had made a diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship navigation extremely difficult. Additionally, the COVID-19 crisis intensified the feeling of heartbreak, devastation, loneness and fear. However, despite the uncertainty, Hope for Stomach Cancer has stayed committed and dedicated to education, research, policy, awareness, and advocacy for our stomach cancer community. We have redefined the possible and we’d like to continue this trend in the future.

• What can be done with a $100 donation?

  Hope for Stomach Cancer is seeking financial support to help grow our educational programs. and patient navigational support.

• What progress has been made already thanks to your donors?

  Hope for Stomach Cancer has changed the healthcare industry to involve patients and caregivers in critical decision-making.

• What is the history of your organization?

  Aki Smith founded Hope for Stomach Cancer after helping her father, Shigeo Tsuruoka, battle the disease. The devastating shock of Shigeo’s advanced-stage diagnosis came in late 2013. But they refused to give up without a fight. They made a deal. Shigeo would fight the disease and Aki would handle everything else. But Aki soon found a severe lack of information, guidance, and support. From deciding on the right team of doctors to treatment options and insurance
  issues – it was all overwhelming Today Shigeo is in remission. Call it luck, a blessing, something else, or all of the above.

  Aki decided to make the calling stomach cancer patient advocacy her life’s work (aside from being a wife and mother!).

  And… give Hope to everyone impacted by stomach cancer