Late UH Cancer Center Hope Ambassador Susan Hirano's lasting impact felt as $250K endowment launches
Gifts ensure Cancer C.A.R.E. Community patient-support program she founded will grow
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Susan Hirano (sitting) with UH Cancer Center staff at the launch event .
Susan Hirano presenting at the launch event
Video news release, photos and other media assets: https://go.hawaii.edu/rad
***SUGGESTED VO SCRIPT BELOW***
Public encouraged to add to nearly $250,000 in donations received from Hirano Family, Tsuha Hawai‘i Aloha, Servco Foundation and others for perpetual funding for patient-support programs
HONOLULU — The University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center announces the establishment of an endowment totalling nearly $250,000 to sustain the new Susan C. Hirano Cancer C.A.R.E. Community, a patient empowerment and support program founded at the center in Kaka‘ako by the late Susan C. Hirano of Honolulu.
Launched in April 2025 under Hirano’s leadership, the Cancer C.A.R.E. Community — which stands for Community, Awareness, Research, and Emotional Well-Being — offers quarterly workshops and other educational and supportive opportunities designed to uplift cancer patients and survivors, caregivers, and families.
The endowment ensures these services continue through the UH Cancer Center in perpetuity and has raised nearly $250,000. Initial contributions have been made by Susan Hirano’s husband, Peter Hirano; Tsuha Hawai‘i Aloha; the Servco Foundation; and other family members and friends of Susan.
Susan Hirano’s personal journey with cancer was the catalyst for the Cancer C.A.R.E. Community initiative. She was diagnosed in 2021 with stage-four metastatic breast cancer and at the time was estimated to have only about a year to live. She retired as a Realtor and undertook an effort to supplement her medical care with such practices as meditation, diet, understanding the latest research, and advocating for herself. Through this journey, she became a tireless advocate for other cancer patients. These experiences led her to work with UH Cancer Center staff and faculty to establish the Cancer C.A.R.E. Community. The initiative was renamed for her in a surprise ceremony during its kickoff event on April 5. Susan Hirano was present to celebrate and speak at the launch. She passed away peacefully at home 13 days after the launch, on April 18, at the age of 57.
“Susan believed deeply in the mission of the UH Cancer Center, and she also believed deeply in empowering and supporting patients,” said Peter Hirano. “The Susan C. Hirano Cancer C.A.R.E. Community supports and empowers individuals facing the challenges of cancer with resources and guidance to help their mind, body and spirit. Susan wanted every cancer patient to feel supported, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. This endowment is a way to carry forward that mission.”
Added UH Cancer Center Director Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, a two-time cancer survivor himself, and a cancer clinician and researcher: “Social-emotional support can improve quality of life at any stage of cancer. It has shown potential for improving health outcomes and survivorship for patients, and enhancing experiences for caregivers as well. So the UH Cancer Center is extremely proud of and excited for the growth of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer C.A.R.E. Community. Expanding patient care and support is important to the UH Cancer Center, especially as we prepare to welcome patients into our Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center in 2026. Susan was a beloved friend to many at our center, and her legacy will continue to touch many in our community through this program and this endowment.”
To donate to and learn more about the Susan C. Hirano Cancer C.A.R.E. Community, visit UHCancerCenter.org/CancerCARE. The next free quarterly event, themed, “Mindfulness & Meditation,” will be held on July 26 at the UH Cancer Center. Register at go.hawaii.edu/rFM.
Learn more about the UH Cancer Center at UHCancerCenter.org.
Susan Hirano is survived by her devoted husband, Peter; her son, Trevor; her stepson, Tyler; her mother, Jean Stine; and her brother, Dan. Her memory lives on in those who knew and loved her, and in the many lives she touched through her work and advocacy.
A celebration of life is planned for July 12 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
In Honolulu, on Aug. 2, there will be a 3 p.m. celebration of life at Nu‘uanu Congregational Church, followed by a reception at Oahu Country Club.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the endowment fund for the Susan C. Hirano Cancer C.A.R.E. Community. Donations can be made to this fund at the University of Hawai‘i Foundation:
For Online Contributions: https://giving.uhfoundation.org/funds/21074603
For Mail Contributions: Checks can be made payable to University of Hawai‘i Foundation, with “21074603” in the memo line, and mailed to:
University of Hawai‘i Foundation
P.O. Box 11270
Honolulu, HI 96828-0270
###
About The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center is dedicated to saving lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. It is inspiring hope by working to conquer cancer. The flagship priority is to understand and address cancer health disparities. The center strives to achieve this through research, education, patient care, and community outreach, focusing on the unique and diverse ethnic, cultural, and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
The UH Cancer Center is one of only 73 institutions designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), representing a significant mark of excellence, and is the only NCI-designated cancer center in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. The center contributes more than $57 million to Hawai‘i’s economy through scientific research, clinical trials, and other activities.
As part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the UH Cancer Center operates out of facilities located in Kakaʻako. The center directly employs more than 300 faculty and staff, with an additional 200 affiliate members and cooperative agreements with organizations that are part of the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium. The consortium includes The Queen’s Health Systems, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Kuakini Medical Center, Adventist Health Castle, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), and the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), all working together with the UH Cancer Center to advance cancer research and treatment in the state.
Learn more at UHCancerCenter.org Connect with us | Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn
-------------
SUGGESTED VSOT (60 seconds):
ANCHOR VO: A lasting tribute to a beloved cancer-patient advocate: The University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center is announcing a $250,000 endowment for its new patient-empowerment program, the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community.
Quarterly workshops and other social-emotional support are offered for patients, survivors, caregivers, and families.
Susan Hirano was a Honolulu resident, mother, former realtor, and stage-4 metastatic breast cancer “thriver” who founded the program. It was launched just 13 days before her passing on April 18.
SOT (PETER HIRANO, husband of Susan Hirano): “She knows that the Cancer Center does wonderful work here in the state of Hawai‘i, but she saw a vision for how it could help impact people's lives even more.”
SOT - (NAOTO T. UENO, Director, University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center):
“Nobody should actually go through the journey of cancer just by herself or himself. And that was Susan's vision. The Cancer Center is committed to this vision that Susan has created, trying to empowering yourself to really go through this journey strong, and bring resilience.”
ANCHOR VO: To join, or to donate, visit UHCancerCenter.org/CancerCARE.
For more information, visit: http://UHCancerCenter.org/CancerCARE