A Father’s Fight for the Future

Ridgewood, NJ

When Haksung and his family moved from South Korea to the U.S. a year ago, they faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language. Then came the unexpected. Haksung was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

His concern wasn’t for himself, but for his family. He worried about how they would manage without him, especially his 14-year-old daughter. She was struggling with anxiety from the culture shock.

Now, they all faced an uncertain future together.

Despite fatigue, Haksung continued working part-time from home to keep his family afloat. But his income was cut in half, he was consumed with worry about providing for them. How would he afford to keep food on the table? How would they cover the transportation back-and-forth to the hospital?

That’s when the Icla da Silva Foundation stepped in. We provided critical support to help Haksung prepare for his bone marrow transplant. They literally had nowhere else to turn. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to grant funds for gas and groceries, which were essential during his treatment.

Finding a donor match proved difficult due to his ethnicity, but in an incredible turn of events, his daughter was a match. Even though she was only 14, and battling anxiety, she donated her stem cells to save her father’s life.

Haksung’s journey is far from over, but thanks to the support he received, he feels hopeful. “Your program gives me hope for our future. Thank you.”

You Can Help a Patient Like Haksung

Haksung’s story is just one example of the many families who face overwhelming challenges while battling blood cancer. Your generosity can make a difference. Donate today to help provide critical assistance to a patient like Haksung and give them hope for a brighter future.

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Thanks for reading.

Written by: Bret Itskowitch