Help Isaac Fight Brain Cancer

Hi, my name is Rathana, and I'm writing this story about my nephew Isaac in collaboration with his family. Isaac, also known as Ra, is fighting a type of brain cancer called Diffuse Midline Glioma. His parents, brothers, friends, and close extended family are devastated by this painfully inexplicable diagnosis.

For two months, he complained of back pain, increasing headaches, and numbness; eventually, it got bad enough that Isaac went to the ER. After initial scans showed tumors (lesions) all over his brain, spinal cord, and elsewhere in his body, Isaac was admitted to the hospital at the end of February, just after his 22nd birthday, where he has been since. Despite clear evidence of tumors all over his brain and spinal cord, a diagnosis was hard to find - he endured a month in the hospital with endless tests, scans, and unclear answers, with experts at St. Vincent's and OHSU completely stumped. Eventually, Isaac was life-flighted to UCSF, hoping for answers. When he arrived at UCSF, a bone biopsy was genetically sequenced and showed a genetic mutation in a gene known as H3K27M, the leading cause of Diffuse Midline Glioma. He was then life-flighted back to Oregon to be closer to his loved ones and begin radiation treatment.

This prognosis is earth-shattering for such a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend. He is captivating, kind, intelligent, and deeply loved. Isaac is the kind of person who loves and protects his younger brothers and friends. He despises bullies and often stands up for those who could not stand up for themselves. Isaac was a great teammate on his soccer and basketball teams at Westview High School. He made delicious home-cooked meals for his roommates. He is the voice of reason in his family, and his opinions are well regarded. He's a great listener and observant of others' likes and needs, making him a great gift-giver, finding perfect presents for his friends and loved ones. He is a loving and caring big brother and often gave his teenage brothers trendy fashion advice and self-care tips - sharing his clothes, sense of style, and skin-care routines. Isaac's mom, Nancy, describes her son as "someone who lights up the room when he walks in, and he is very nice to everyone."

As he lay in his hospital bed, he shared his life dream with his dad, Sophat, that he wanted to own a red Tesla. He also aspires to open a late-night restaurant that serves cheap eats like $5 barbeque pork fried rice and dim sum all day. Isaac loves food and frequented restaurants all over town. One of his favorite treats was going to Salt&Straw with his girlfriend for ice cream. His life is just getting started.

I will end this note by asking you to please donate to this fundraiser to help his family with accrued medical costs, time off of work for his parents, and plans for his care. Please share this fundraiser far and wide. The Khut family is a beloved, well-known, and influential family in the Asian and Cambodian community of Portland, so we hope the community will be able to help him in his time of need. All funds raised will go directly to his family to pay for his medical bills, care, and expenses in this difficult time. Gofundme only asks for a "tip" when you donate - they do not take any of the money. Feel free to skip this "tip".

Thank you on behalf of Isaac's parents, Sophat and Nancy Khut, and the entire Khut family, who are heartbroken for their son, brother, nephew, or cousin.

Sincerely,

Rathana Lim Soenneker (cousin on the Kao side)