The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center has established a $250,000 endowment to sustain the Susan C. Hirano Cancer C.A.R.E. Community, a support program founded by Hirano, a passionate advocate for cancer patients at the center.
Launched in April 2025 under Hirano’s leadership, the Cancer C.A.R.E. Community—short for Community, Awareness, Research, and Emotional Well-Being—provides quarterly workshops and educational opportunities to uplift cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and families.
The endowment ensures the program continues in perpetuity and has raised nearly $250,000 by Hirano’s husband, Peter Hirano, Tsuha Hawaiʻi Aloha; the Servco Foundation; and other family members and friends of Susan.
Inspired by her own journey
Hirano’s personal journey with cancer was the catalyst for the initiative. In 2021, she was diagnosed with stage-four metastatic breast cancer and given about a year to live. She retired as a realtor and focused on practices such as meditation, diet and medical research, while advocating for herself and others.
These experiences led her to work with UH Cancer Center staff and faculty to create the Cancer C.A.R.E. Community, which was renamed in her honor during its April 5 launch event. She passed away peacefully 13 days later, at age 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.”
A lasting legacy of support
Social-emotional support can improve quality of life at any stage of cancer.
—Naoto T. Ueno
“Social-emotional support can improve quality of life at any stage of cancer,” said UH Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno, a two-time cancer survivor: “It has shown potential for improving health outcomes and survivorship for patients, and enhancing experiences for caregivers as well. 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.”
Hirano is survived by her husband, Peter; son, Trevor; stepson, Tyler; mother, Jean Stine; and brother, Dan.
Celebration of life
A celebration of life will be held July 12 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In Honolulu, on August 2, there will be a 3 p.m. celebration of life at Nuʻuanu Congregational Church, followed by a reception at Oahu Country Club.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations may 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 UH Foundation:
Online contributions: https://giving.uhfoundation.org/funds/21074603
For Mail contributions: Checks can be made payable to UH Foundation with “21074603” in the memo line, mailed to:
UH Foundation
P.O. Box 11270
Honolulu, HI 96828-0270
