My name is Shizuka Udagawa, and I live in Chikushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, where I am a proud mother of four wonderful children—a 19-year-old son, a 14-year-old daughter, a 12-year-old son, and a 7-year-old son. I graduated from Meiji Acupuncture and Moxibustion University (now Meiji International Medical University) in Kyoto and trained for seven years under a respected teacher in Chiba Prefecture. Today, I run the Ohisama Acupuncture and Moxibustion Clinic, where I work daily as an acupuncturist, offering care that nurtures not just the physical body but also the mind and soul. Seeing my patients heal and smile brings me joy and purpose.

As an Orphanage Ambassador for the Mary K. Yap Foundation, I am honored to bring my medical background into service for orphaned children who often lack access to basic healthcare. I plan to support the Foundation’s health and wellness initiatives by actively participating in the promotion of #HealthChecks campaign, which calls for a routine health checkups for every orphan child. These health screenings are essential to identifying early medical concerns, supporting long-term wellness, and building a future where every child has the foundation for a healthy life. I believe that holistic care—including both physical and emotional well-being—is a right, not a privilege, and I am deeply committed to helping ensure that vulnerable children receive the compassionate care they deserve.