Why aren’t you smiling?
The simple phrase has since inspired Jhené Aiko’s latest endeavor. The Trip star announced the launch of the WAYS Foundation, an organization that will provide financial aid to patients/families in need of cancer treatment. The foundation was conceived with her brother, Miyagi, in mind, who died of cancer in 2012. According to Billboard WAYS stands for “Why aren’t you smiling,” a phrased coined by Miyagi during his battle with cancer.
“This Christmas, I decided to gift my family with the ‘WAYS Foundation,’ something my family and I have had in the works since the passing of my brother,” Aiko told Billboard. “I decided to make a donation on my family’s behalf in which we plan to continue to help people and families affected by cancer.”
She made the first donation through WAYS for $15,000 to Lily Olive from Eagle Rock, California a five-year-old girl who’s currently battling leukemia.
Aiko also dropped an album and short film, both called Trip, which was also based on the experience of the loss of her brother.
