71-year-old Yean lives with his wife and their youngest daughter in Kandal province in Cambodia. He and his wife have a total of seven children, with six of them already married and living with their own families. In his free time, Yean likes to watch boxing and “Lakhaon Bassac”, a Cambodian traditional theatre performance on TV.
About two years ago, Yean began experiencing weight loss, fatigue and a chronic pain in his right knee. When he visited a local hospital, he was referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), which was an hour’s drive, for further care. Yean was diagnosed with Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST), a rare type of cancer that develops in the soft tissues that cover and protect peripheral nerves. If left untreated, MPNST can also spread to other parts of the body. Although the surgeons had hoped to remove the tumor and save his leg, it was determined that Yean needed to have his leg amputated.
Our partner, CSC, is helping Yean receive treatment. On April 24th, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a leg amputation surgery to relieve his symptoms and prevent the cancer from spreading. Yean and his family are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $379 more to fund the procedure.
Yean says: “After surgery, I hope to no longer be in pain, so that I can go home and spend time with my family.”