Ando has always been up for a challenge. Recently he is tackling some of his biggest obstacles yet. He’s had several major surgeries for cancer. But he’s not letting this slow him down. ... Ando was diagnosed with cancer, and first had his gallbladder and duodenum removed. Then, more cancer turned up, and his pancreas and spleen were taken out. ... “People live as long as they’re meant to. So, we might as well make every effort we can, until we die.” (via Archinect)

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He draws inspiration from his fight against illness. “I asked my doctor if anyone has ever maintained his strength after losing his pancreas and spleen,” he says. “The doctor said, patients have stayed alive, but no one’s kept the same strength he had before. So he told me to become a model of recovery.” ... “Just being alive isn’t sufficient,” he told us. “You have to enjoy it. Young people need to find the desire to do things that are exciting and new. And they must consider whether society will be inspired by what they do.”1

  • 1. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/newsroomtokyo/aired/20150611.html