Somary is a 15-year-old girl with five members in her family. She has two younger sisters, a nine-year-old in third grade and a two-year-old. Her parents are rice farmers in Kampong Cham province. In school, she likes science and would like to be a teacher when she is older. At home, she loves to read books.
Several years ago, Somary developed a large tumor in her right thigh. She visited several hospitals and received different diagnoses. The most recent biopsy revealed a diagnosis of liposarcoma, a rare type of cancer that develops in fatty tissue. Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor, which means the cancer can spread to other areas, including vital organs.
Somaly has pain and is very worried about what may happen to her. Another children's hospital recommended amputation, but her parents chose to have the tumor removed to save her leg and were referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center.
With ongoing medical treatment, doctors hope to prevent her tumor from growing back after a large excision. Somary and her family need help raising $726 to fund her procedure and care, including surgery, medications, post-op care, and rehabilitation.
Somary said: "I hope that the tumor will be removed and also stop my pain. I don't want to lose my leg and would like to go back to school again."