Prominent Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee has released the first images of herself without a wig as she undergoes treatment for leukemia, hoping the action will provide "hope to as many people as possible."
The pictures were posted on her SNS account on Monday with the message: "I share these images today for the first time."
The 19-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia in February last year. She has experienced hair loss because of the drugs used in the treatment to fight the cancer. Ikee has regularly worn a wig since being discharged from the hospital in December, but decided to release the pictures of herself without a wig at this time, saying on SNS, "I want you to see the way I am now."
"I'll be thrilled if this can be a small bit of hope for my fellow athletes as well as anyone who is battling hardship in the same way I am," Ikee said in a longer message posted with the images.
The photographs were taken as part of a project with the skin care brand SK-II. Her photo diary is also available on a special site at https://sk-ii.jp/rikakoikee
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