VH’s Run-draiser
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Spam FC Scholarship FoundationVan is running his first 5K since being sick and hospitalized in October 2025.
$6,820
raised by 35 people
$7,500 goal
in 1 month left
New Year (Khmer), New Journey
I’m not doing this to be an inspiration. My goal is simple: I want my health back. I want to chase my babies, play soccer, and move my body to keep my mind calm.
Starting this 5K journey has opened up something unexpected. Friends are reaching out to say they’re running "alongside" me. One friend logged six miles; another told me, "It’s slow, but I’m running with you." Even though we are in different places, I feel more connected than ever. This isn't just about raising money for Spam FC, it’s about exactly what I’ve always wanted for this group: finding ways to be together, even from afar.
I’m getting stronger every day. This week, I ran three times: 15, 5, and 27 minutes. That last one felt amazing, and my wife reminded me it was my longest run since October. I hadn't even realized it, but it was a beautiful reminder of how far I've come.
This isn't about external validation. It’s an internal mission to celebrate every small victory and build on it. The same applies to our fundraising. After a massive $3,500 gift from one family, I’ve raised our goal to $7,500. We are now less than $1,000 away. As a reminder, every dollar goes directly to helping students pay for college.
As the week ends, I hope you find time to move, connect with loved ones, and rest.
One day, I was running 14 miles around Central Park; a few days later, I couldn't even lift my head off the pillow. For the next week, I battled high fevers day and night. After seeing no improvement, I went to Urgent Care twice, but their tests found nothing.
Still feeling terrible, I went to the ER. At first, they thought it was Shingles, but the antivirals didn't help. When I returned a few days later, a CT scan revealed a liver abscess the size of a coconut. I was immediately admitted to the hospital for two weeks.
On the first day, they inserted a tube through my rib cage to drain the infection. The procedure was smooth, but the aftermath was awful. My body developed an ileus, a painful condition where the digestive system stops working, because of the foreign object in my abdomen. It was the worst pain I had ever experienced.
Two weeks passed where I couldn't eat or drink. I lost 15–20 pounds and my energy was so low I could barely get out of bed. My pregnant wife, mom, sister, and mother-in-law were by my side every day. All I could do was look at them, try to smile, and then drift back to sleep from the heavy pain medication.
The first nine days were absolute hell. After two weeks, I was sent home with antibiotics and a drainage bag. Over the next three weeks, I slowly regained some energy and managed to walk down the hallway of my apartment. However, a follow-up scan broke my heart: they found two more infections in my lungs and pelvic area. I was sent back to the hospital for another week.
I hit rock bottom mentally.
I’ve always considered myself a strong person, but this felt like the limit. Finally, the day before Thanksgiving, a scan showed improvement, and I was allowed to go home. I stayed on strong antibiotics until mid-February, unable to work out or feel like myself.
While I was home with my wife and daughter, my mind was elsewhere. It didn’t feel fair that my pregnant wife had to endure so much while I spiraled into a dark place. But she reminded me to be grateful that I was still here. She brought light to our lives by making Christmas special with decorations and songs, and a few days later, our superhero, our rock, our MVP delivered our second daughter right in our living room as she planned.
It has been a long, dark road, but I am finally making progress. I am walking more and moving my body again. I’m not back to running 14 miles or playing soccer yet, but I am living without physical pain and enjoying my growing family.
I want to turn this scary experience into something positive. Because I’m working on my physical health, I’ve signed up for a 5K through work on May 27, 2026. I’m turning this into a "Run-draiser" to support the Spam FC Scholarship Foundation.
My goals:
Finish the 5K (walk, jog, or crawl 😭)
Raise $3,500 for the Spam FC Scholarship Foundation
I hope you’ll consider donating to my Run-draiser!
With Khmer New Year falling on April 14–16 this year, I’m ready to leave this nightmare behind. I’m looking forward to a fresh start with my girls, my extended family, and all of you by my side in whatever way possible.