Eiko is a childbirth educator for Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. In 2008, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy. When she found out she had cancer, her work colleagues rallied around her to provide the support and encouragement she needed to get through the initial days of waiting, worrying and then proceeding with treatment. “Waiting for the official diagnosis of breast cancer was the scariest part,” said Eiko. “Once I knew it was cancer, it made me feel better to begin the process of figuring out what to do next. Chemotherapy was also difficult the first time around as I didn’t know how my body would react and I was concerned if treatment would be worse than the disease. Knowing that researchers continue to discover new and better ways to treat breast cancer, gives me peace of mind.” Eiko is back at work and has been cancer-free since summer 2009.