From Patient to Healer
One Artist's Natural Journey
In the serene James Irvine Japanese Garden at JACCC, Sanae Suzuki gently harvested herbs for her tincture-making workshop, her movements deliberate and grateful. Each step she took was a testament to her remarkable journey—one that began in the shadow of cancer and blossomed into a story of healing, hope, and community.
Years ago, facing not only cancer but the terrifying possibility of never walking again, Sanae found herself at a crossroads in a sterile hospital room. The uncertainty of her future—whether the cancer would return, whether she would regain her mobility—pushed her toward an unexpected path of healing that would transform her life.
When lying in a hospital bed, not knowing if she would ever walk again or if the cancer would come back, she started looking for alternatives. Drawing from her earliest memories of foraging medicinal plants with her grandmother in the mountains of Mie, Japan, she turned to holistic healing practices, combining ancient wisdom with modern wellness approaches.
Her partnership with JACCC emerged organically, like the herbs she now tends. When she first reached out, she was immediately drawn to the garden spaces—seeing in them not just beauty, but potential for healing. The JACCC team, recognizing the value of her knowledge and experience, encouraged her to develop a workshop that would share her expertise with others.
The tincture-making workshop became more than just a lesson in herbal medicine. It was a gathering of souls seeking connection and healing. Using ingredients harvested from JACCC's own garden, she guided participants through the process of creating natural remedies while sharing her personal story of transformation.
What moved her most was how people held space for her story during the workshop. Their empathy and openness created something beautiful—a community of healers and learners coming together.
This sense of community is particularly meaningful for people like Sanae, who understands deeply the isolation that can come with serious illness. As a Whole Health Macrobiotic Holistic Nutrition Counselor, she now dedicates her life to helping others find their path to wellness, incorporating everything from herbalism to artistic expression in her healing practice. In the garden at JACCC, Sanae's journey came full circle as participants connected with plants and each other. From her childhood days foraging with her grandmother in Japan to her workshop at JACCC, her story offered more than lessons in tincture-making—it became a powerful reminder that healing grows from the earth beneath our feet and flourishes in the warmth of community.
WE JACCC YOU
These meaningful connections and healing moments are made possible through the generous support of community members like you. Your contribution to JACCC helps sustain programs that preserve cultural heritage while fostering vital social connections for our seniors.