From cancer diagnosis to pilgrimage along 88 temples in Japan

Six months after moving to Japan, Stefanie received news that turned her life upside down: breast cancer. Three days after her diagnosis, the earth shook, a tsunami hit, and a nuclear power plant in Fukushima melted down. Amid grief and uncertainty, she found her strength again by walking. On September 13, 2025, she begins a new journey. Fifteen years later, she returns not for herself but for everyone fighting breast cancer.

Japan: Land of Illness and Recovery

In September 2010, Stefanie moved to Japan with her family. Before that, she and her partner had emigrated to Sweden, where they both worked for Volvo in Gothenburg. From Sweden, they were sent to Japan to live, work, and have their children attend school there. Not long after arriving, about six months later, Stefanie was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Her treatment took place in Japan, where she also experienced the devastating aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Just three days after her diagnosis, a massive earthquake struck, followed by a tsunami and the nuclear disaster in Fukushima. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, Stefanie chose to stay, as the specialists in Japan inspired her trust. During her long recovery period, she began walking extensively. Those walks became a source of strength and healing.

The care and empathy of the Japanese medical staff left a deep impression on her. For Stefanie, Japan is the country where she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the country where she found her strength again.

The Shikoku Henro: 88 Temples, 1,200 Kilometers

Years later, a documentary about a pilgrimage in Japan stayed on her mind. It led her to decide to walk the full route herself. The journey will cover 1,200 kilometers across Shikoku, the fourth largest island of Japan.

The Shikoku Henro is a traditional Buddhist pilgrimage visiting 88 temples spread across four prefectures. Each represents a stage of spiritual growth: awakening, ascetic training, enlightenment, and finally nirvana.

Stefanie plans about 55 walking days, averaging 22 kilometers per day, plus ten extra days for rest or bad weather. She will carry her own backpack, sleep in a tent, with locals, in hostels, or in temples. The scenery will vary greatly, from serene nature to small villages and larger towns.

For her, this pilgrimage is symbolic. At an age where many hesitate to take on big challenges, she still feels strong and ready to give it her all. “Maybe I just have to do it, while I still can.”

Source: www.nippon.com

A Journey for Think Pink

What started as a personal challenge grew into an initiative supporting Think Pink, the organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer. Stefanie will share her stories and kilometers through a blog so everyone can follow along.

“I hope many people make small donations. It is not about one big sponsor, but about many people coming together to support this journey. When you have cancer, you are never truly alone, and that is how I want this pilgrimage to feel, something we do together.”

She invites people to sponsor her by buying pilgrimage kilometers. For every kilometer she walks, a donor can give 1 euro. Whether it is one kilometer or one hundred, every contribution counts.

From Café Owner to Team Lead

Today, Stefanie is Team Lead Contract & Invoice Administration at Pauwels Consulting, where she passionately oversees administrative processes and invoicing. Outside of work, she’s an avid hiker and a true bon vivant, known for her strong character and warm heart.

Before joining Pauwels Consulting, she ran a café in Kaprijke for many years. “It was my second home,” she recalls. “Long days, eighty hours a week, but it gave me energy.” During the COVID period, she made the transition to Pauwels Consulting, where she now channels her sense of responsibility into leading a close-knit team of seven women. “I’m the glue that holds the team together,” she laughs. “Tough on the outside, but soft on the inside.”

What Stefanie Hopes to Share

With every step, Stefanie carries more than just her backpack. She carries stories, memories, and a deep sense of connection.

“I hope people feel a little part of my journey,” she says. “That they read my stories and maybe even smile along the way. Whether that’s one person or ten thousand, for me, that’s already more than enough.”

This pilgrimage is also deeply meaningful for her parents. In the past, they loved joining her on hikes, but they can no longer walk alongside her physically. Still, Stefanie feels their presence with every kilometer. “For my dad’s seventieth birthday, he traveled to Tokyo to visit us. Now, he’s traveling with me again — not by my side, but always in my thoughts.”

Stefanie walks not only for herself, but for everyone who has ever had to fight, let go, or start over. That’s what makes this so much more than just a 1,200-kilometer journey.

Want to support Stefanie’s pilgrimage and contribute to Think Pink?

Sponsor a pilgrimage kilometer: 1 km = €1

Follow Stefanie’s adventure and read her stories through her blog and live tracking. Together, we walk for hope, healing, and strength.