Van is 63 years old and a rice farmer from Cambodia. His wife and his eldest child also work on the rice fields. His middle child is a construction worker and the youngest is a teacher. Outside of work, he enjoys playing chess with friends in his village.
In September 2025, Van was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in his right hip. The infection severely damaged the hip joint, causing pain in his right hip, knee, and outer thigh. He completed six months of TB treatment in March 2026, but the damage continued to affect his ability to walk.
On April 29, 2026, he underwent a Girdlestone procedure to remove the damaged part of his hip joint. Further investigations showed chronic osteomyelitis but no evidence of TB. Although he has already had surgery, he still experiences mild pain when doing activities and needs a crutch to walk. He cannot walk outside his home or return to farming, making it difficult for him to carry out his usual activities independently.
Van visited our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for further treatment. Following reassessment, the medical team recommended a right revision total hip replacement, scheduled for November 4th. The operation aims to reduce his hip pain and improve his mobility, giving him hope of walking more comfortably, going outside independently, and eventually returning to farming. Van can contribute $100, but needs help raising $1,400 more to help cover the cost of his surgery and post-operative care.
Van said, “I hope this surgery will ease my hip pain and help me walk more comfortably. I miss being able to go outside and work on my farm. I want to regain my independence, move around without relying on crutches, and return to my normal daily activities when I recover.”