Celebrating The Life Of Maki Tanaka

In May of 2015, my sister was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma brain cancer. Glioblastoma is the rarest form of brain cancer today. GBM tumors can double in size and grow the size of a golf ball in just 7 days. Average survival rates for GBM patients are just 8 months. She lived 7+ years since her prognosis.

At the time of her diagnosis, she was in nursing school to become an RN. During the summer of her first semester, she got brain surgery, intensive radiation, and chemotherapy. And she ended up beating it at the time! We all begged her to take some time off from school and not to go back for her second semester. Well, being the driven, motivated, warrior, badass of all time, she went back. She pushed through and ended up graduating nursing school while being on chemotherapy just a year and a half later! Since then, she had worked at the Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit at Santa Clara Valley Medical and Kaiser Permanente in San Jose.

3% of patients live past 5 years. In 2020, Maki had been 5 years clear. She beat the statistics by 97%! Unfortunately just days after her 35th birthday, the cancer came back for the second time. She had to go through another craniotomy to remove the tumor and more rounds of intensive radiation, and chemotherapy. But this time, she was 5 years stronger, and 5 years more capable. I was shocked that within just 2 months, she was CLEAR again, and went back to work.

In June 2021, Maki was clear for just 8 months before the stage 4 Glioblastoma brain cancer came back for the 3rd time. But this time, the tumor was inoperable because it was so deep in her corpus callosum that doing surgery would do more harm than good. The tumor stopped responding to chemotherapy so the doctors decided to take her off of it. And she could not receive radiation because she received the maximum amount just 8 months prior.

At the time the doctors were convinced that this was the end. They put her on palliative care, made her submit her will, and an advanced directive. With all odds against her, in just 5 months the tumor completely DISAPPEARED.

She went back to “normal life” and work. She was clear for another 10 months until the 2 new tumors were discovered on September 21, 2022. She was put on daily chemotherapy and continuing to work as an RN at Kaiser Permanente San Jose.

On October 29, 2022, we took her to the ER. In just one month, the tumors had grown significantly. She was put on Hospice and told she had 2 months to live. She could no longer do basic tasks on her own such as using the bathroom, showering, feeding, etc. She could not live on her own and needed 24hr care going forward. My whole family put everything to the side and dedicated all of our time and energy into taking care of her.

Despite the circumstances, she was the happiest she has ever been. She knew how loved and cared for she was. We spent everyday with her and showered her with love and affection. By all of us, and all of you.

3+ months past her new prognosis, she experienced a very traumatic seizure on Monday, February 6, 2023. The nurses told us that she was on her final days and she may never ever wake up.

On the evening of Friday, February 10, 2023, she peacefully passed in her childhood room, in her sleep at home. Surrounded by family. All in the room with her. Most of which were holding her hand as she slipped away. The crazy thing is that afterward, she looked as if she had a little smile on her face. My whole family was shocked.

I am starting this Go Fund Me because a lot of people have asked how they can help or be a part of her Celebration of Life. I have many plans on how I plan to celebrate the life of my sister. And I thought it would be a great way to make this inclusive so you all know you have made a difference in her celebrations. All proceeds will go toward these memorials for her.

1. Celebration of Life – More details to come once it is finalized. But I will put on the greatest celebration for my love Maki. She wanted a celebration, rather than a traditional funeral. She wanted colors. She wanted JOY, rather than sadness. Proceeds will go toward this event.

Tentative date/location: Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Santa Clara County/San Jose

2. Tree Planting – My family and I plan to plant a tree in my family’s backyard in her honor. Proceeds will go toward the tree, a plaque, etc.

3. Engraved Bench overlooking the Ocean or Park in Santa Cruz – In the city of Santa Cruz, you are able to engrave the name of a loved one and a message on a bench overlooking the ocean or park in exchange for a pretty large donation. I live in Santa Cruz and she loved the beach. Proceeds will be used toward this.

As more ideas flow, I will update this page –

Thank you so so much for all of your love, prayers, and keeping up to date with my sister, Maki. She was loved by many and will continue to be celebrated, today, and everyday.

Thank you again. <3