Help for Maya Enomoto's Family

Hi! My name is Miki Suzuki and the Enomotos are one of our closest and dearest friends.

Recently, their littlest one, Maya, started having headaches and was getting sick on and off for days. She was taken to urgent care and doctors, who could not figure out what the issue was initially. After a few visits to different doctors, it was discovered to be brain cancer. Maya has a couple of tumors which has yet to be removed as this is being written. She has been hospitalized since January 3rd and remains in the ICU, as her brain continues to bleed.

If you have ever met Maya, she leaves quite an impression! She is always full of energy, spunky, and as friendly as a little ten-year-old could be. She would dance, sing, and tell us stories of everything that happened that day - and everything that didn't that she wished would've happened! And now, to have the little spunky, sweet girl all quiet and in an ICU bed, is heartbreaking.

The Enomoto Family owns and operates Dakara Sushi Restaurant in Whittier, which has been closed since the new year. They have not been able to reopen, as both parents are at their daughter's side. Maya also has two older siblings, Jalen and Leila, who are being cared for by their uncle and grandparents. They have not been able to visit Maya due to Covid protocols in place at the hospital, and resorts to Facetime as a way to see their sister.

The Enomotos are a generational basketball family. The dad (Jason) and uncle (Kevin) both played basketball in the Japanese leagues, and also as high schoolers (La Serna,) and now all 3 of the children play at various organizations in both LA County and Orange county (imagine their schedules!) They are also very active within the Japanese community centers, namely Southeast Japanese School, where they lend a hand whenever culinary needs arise.

I am reaching out to everyone in hopes of supporting them in this time of need, as the medical bills start rolling in and their restaurant remains closed. All gifts are appreciated and will be used to keep this family going and to make little Maya's wishes come true. Thank you for your generosity.