Wearing T-shirts bearing an illustration of Sherilyn, parents Aaron and Marie Takahashi thanked guests for their support.

Many attendees joined in the line dancing.

The outdoor portion of the launch party included games and refreshments.

Kokoro, featuring Ruri Matthews on saxophone, performed popular oldies, and many attendees joined in line dancing. Photos by J.K. YAMAMOTO / Rafu Shimpo

A dance benefit and launch party for Hugs From Sherilyn, a new foundation supporting students pursuing pediatric therapy, was held Aug. 22 at Nishi Hongwanji in Little Tokyo.

Over 600 people attended and over $100,000 was raised.

Aaron and Marie Takahashi established the nonprofit to honor their five-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Sherilyn, who passed away on Dec. 9, 2025 from complications that arose from chronic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension, which resulted from treatment of her brain cancer.

Born on June 10, 2020, Sherilyn was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor five months later. She battled through two surgeries, six cycles of chemotherapy, three rounds of stem cell replacement, infantile spasms and a stroke, and beat cancer. This is how she earned the nickname of the Warrior Princess.

In addition to in-home and other therapy appointments, her regimen included three sessions twice a week at NAPA Center for physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapy. With the guidance of her therapists, Sherilyn gained strength, grew more confident, learned how to build relationships with others, and, most of all, had fun. She loved giving hugs and kisses, which is how the Takahashis decided on the name of their foundation.

Pediatric therapy played a pivotal role in their daughter’s recovery and development during her lifespan. The foundation will support students of pediatric therapy — physical, occupational, speech, feeding — by granting scholarships and providing community outreach.

“I am so deeply grateful for and humbled by the overwhelming amount of support we received from our friends, family, colleagues, and community,” said Aaron Takahashi, the foundation’s president. “This fundraiser was a massive undertaking for us. They say it takes a village, but it felt an entire metropolitan city lifted us and carried us to the finish line.

Images of Sherilyn Takahashi could be seen around the venue.

“Thank you to each and every one of you who made a contribution to Hugs From Sherilyn. To those who attended, I hope you felt Sherilyn’s sassy spirit and unapologetic love for life. She would want to give all of you a hug.”

Aaron is an actor who has appeared in over 100 commercials as well as movies and TV shows, including “Mr. Robot.”

“We are absolutely in awe by the generous donations, volunteers, and guests who have helped make the Hugs from Sherilyn dance benefit and launch party a huge success,” said Marie Takahashi, the foundation’s vice president. “Because of you, we were able to surpass $100,000 in donations! Thank you for helping us honor the memory of our daughter Sherilyn by helping us raise money to grant scholarships for future pediatric therapy students!”

Marie has been with L.A. Unified School District for the past 25 years as an elementary teacher, intervention coordinator, assistant principal, instructional coordinator, and currently magnet coordinator.

Indoor entertainment was provided by the dance band Kokoro. The DJs outside were Kreations From Above, OG Sounds, and Kut Above.

Food was donated by Nijiya, Far Bar, Aloha Cafe, Fugetsu-Do, Cafe Dulce, Agua Cabana, Hawaiian Sweet Islands, Buttery Popcorn Co., Brewyard, and Dots Cupcakes.

Trader Joe’s (Northridge, Chatsworth, Granada Hills), Magnolia Park Dental Group, and Japanese American Community Credit Union were in-kind supporters.

Over 75 volunteers kept the event running smoothly. For more information on the foundation, visit www.HugsFromSherilyn.org.