Fundraiser for Lor Pao

Hello everyone, my name is Lisa and Lor Pao is my oldest brother. I am creating this GoFundMe page for him and his family in hopes that their financial burden can be lessened a bit from the challenge that they’ve recently been dealt with.

On May 14th of 2023, Mother's Day to be exact, my oldest brother went on his daily morning runs and felt a sharp pain on his right abdomen that radiated up to his shoulder. He didn't make it to running a mile before returning home. He was admitted to the ER that day. Lesions were found in his liver after a CT scan was conducted. Once an MRI was completed, enlarged lymph nodes were found in his lungs. This was just the beginning of a long, exhausting journey as they scheduled him to do a liver biopsy. The results came in a few days later as my brother and his wife met with the oncologist. It was liver cancer, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, stage 3.

For as long as I can remember, he's been a huge part of my childhood despite the age gap. With 6 siblings between us, I always thought he was the coolest big brother ever and I just wanted to go wherever he went. I remember those early mornings where I'll jump in the backseat of his car just to tag along with him on his morning run. Him in his running shoes and me in my flipflops. I knew I was an inconvenience, but he never said no. I remembered believing that his legs were made out of steel for he would run for so long around the tracks. I recall sitting at the center of the track just watching him go around and around and around. He was always physically active. I recall watching him play tennis, volleyball, soccer, and sepak takraw, also known as kick volleyball. But morning runs were his daily routine, and he continued his morning hobby even after getting married and having a family.

For those of you who know me, Culinary Arts was always a passion of mine. In fact, my love of cooking was because of him. I believe I was 7 or 8 when I saw him cooking one day in the kitchen. I watched him with such curiosity that he let me assist him. He was stir-frying beef with bell peppers, baby corn, onions, broccoli, and bamboo shoots. It was a colorful mixture and so beautiful. There was a small bowl of sauce on the table made of hoisin sauce and oyster sauce mixed with a corn starch slurry that he had tasked me with stirring so the corn starch doesn't separate, and I stirred it with the greatest of my focus. When the stir-fry was done, we ate, and I remembered it was so incredibly delicious that my love for cooking and food truly came from that very moment. Although he was a silent teacher with no written materials, having that moment in the kitchen with him planted the seed in my head which grew into a passion. It’s clear to say that he was a big influence on my childhood and helped shape who I am today. He bought me my very first Whopper from Burger King, introduced me to Thai dramas and music, introduced me to Selena and her music, showed me the importance of being clean and organized, and how important an education is. I remembered believing that my oldest brother was the coolest because he was smart, funny, he can cook and clean, he was into sports, and he was so respectful that everyone wanted to be around him all the time. He was strong and brave in my eyes, one to always be healthy.

Since his diagnosis, cancer has taken a toll on him and his family. He dropped quite a bit of pounds in a short amount of time because he couldn’t keep down his food. He looks exhausted and weak but puts on a brave face. I know he’s still strong in many ways and can fight this, but I don’t want him to fight alone. Cancer has drained him physically, mentally, but mainly, financially.

If you’ve made it this far into the story, then know that I appreciate your time and I truly thank you for that. My brother is a fighter and I’d like for him to be able to continue fighting and focus on keeping his spirit strong. Any amount of donation will be much appreciated, beyond any words that can be expressed. Thank you all so much.

His little sister,

Lisa

His handsome boys and beautiful wife