Jhene Aiko Launches WAYS Foundation to Support Cancer Patients
Jhene Aiko has joined the rank of celebrities with charitable organizations via her newly launched WAYS Foundation.
The organization is dedicated to bringing financial support to patients in need of cancer treatment, as well as their families. WAYS, which stands for Why Aren't You Smiling, was started to honor her brother, Miyagi, who died of cancer in 2012. Miyagi coined the phrase during his cancer battle, Billboard reports.
"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."
Jhene made her first donation on Christmas Eve to five-year-old Lily Olive of Eagle Rock, Ca. Olive is currently battling leukemia, and Jhene gave the youngster $15,000 to cover her medical bills.
In other charitable celebrity news, DoSomething.org's 2017 Celebs Gone Good list was recently released and Chance the Rapper, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé and Colin Kaepernick all made the cut for the most giving celebs this year.
It appears as if Jhene will be added to that number if she keeps things going in the same direction.