4 —Wednesday, April 23, 1997 — North Shore News - Thanktul tourisi returns to Japan | By lan Noble News Reporter ian@nsnews.com A Japanese woman given only a 10% chance of surviving four months ago will leave Lions Gate Hospital and board a plane for home this morning. Yukari Yoshioka was struck by pneumonia in early January, just a few weeks after she arrived in Vancouver. On three occasions, doctors pave Yoshioka only 48 hours to ve. In late February, Yoshioka ~ clung to life in the intensive - care unit’ with her mother by her side. Doctors were still not sure if Yoshioka would survive, but had boosted her chances to 50%. On Monday, however, sit- ting in a wheelchair in her hos- pital room, the 25-year-old native of Okayama City said she can breathe on her own “and get around with the help ‘ ofa walker. ; Yoshioka, who still feels tired at times, wants to thank the people in Canada who have contributed $67,000 to her trust fund at the North Shore Credit Union. “wT won’t forget their kind- ness,” she said. Yoshioka shot to promi- nenceé while in intensive care at - Lions Gate Hospital in early March. At the time, two L165 Pemberton. Avenve, ; Vancouver 985- 0234 PNEUMONIA petient Yukari Yoshioka will return to Japan today. women started the trust fund for Yoshioka, who had run up a six-figure hospital bill. Her condition has slowly improved since then. On April 11, she was able to leave the intensive care unit and move into a private room. According to Ima Ite, one of pvo women who established the trust fund, Yoshioka has been receiving rehabilitation and her health continues to improve. A doctor will accompany Yoshioka back to Japan today. Yoshioka looks forward to returning to Japan, but has mixed feelings about leaving Canada. “I have Canadian friends so L'il miss them,” she said, adding she hopes to return to Canada in the future, but not in winter. According to a Lions Gate Hospital official, Yoshioka’s tab hit — approximately $220,000, of which $62,000 has yet to be paid. Money from the Canadian trust fund has already been contributed towards the tab. Yoshioka’s insurance company covered $33,000 and the fam- ily has also contributed cash. “(Yoshioka’s parents) will do what they can to pay off the debt,” said ito. The credit union account remains open for donations. There is also a Japanese trust fund. Moke your next move an informed one. Get the results you deserve... Please give me a call! “You'll be on my service!” : ee 926-6233 Se ermax Masters Reality #200-1455 Bellevue West Vancouver 40% 0 McConnell (crn, of Winston St.) . Burnaby - - 421 -8023,- orth Vancouver | has. something to say. North Vancouverites want a Member of Parliament with a strong, clear voice — a voice that rejects extremism and the old way of doing politics. A voice that gets things done for the people who live and work in North Vancouver. Warren Kinsella is the strongest voice for North Vancouver As the Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, Warren Kinsella will: «@ Put the needs of North Vancouver first ® Get tough on criminals and work for a safe community @ Cut through red tape in Ottawa to get the job done in North Vancouver Continue to defend universal Medicare from those who call for a fractured, two-tier health care system «> Continue to help export B.C.’s products and expertise #® Work to foster job creation while continuing the drive towards deficit elimination and a balanced budget Vote KINSELLA WARREN THE STRONGEST VOICE FOR NORTH VANCOUVER Call 983-WINS for r:ore information or drop by the office i... 2908 Lonsdale. liberal The Warren Kinsella campaign neither condones nor advocates the editorial views taken by some of this paper's columnists.