Serve up Support for Min Kong and his family

In May 2021, our ever smiling and happy friend, Min Kong was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer nasopharyngeal carcinoma, with a tumor the size of an orange, on both sides of his neck lymph node.

Since then, he has undergone 3 cycles of heavy chemotherapy, and 8 weeks of combined radiation and chemo treatment. Unfortunately, Min recently found out that the cancer has spread to his liver and belly and that it was likely terminal, with an average life expectancy of 22 months.

While we are all encouraging Min to be strong and fight back against this terrible disease, he knows that he has to be realistic and to start thinking about the future – one that may not include him. As such, he wants to spend as much time as he can NOW with Jannie, Ethan and Charlotte AND to help secure their future.

It is evident how much Min loves Jannie and his children. Min and Jannie have known each other for over 25 years and in all their time together, they have only been apart for a brief period - 3 times. Once when Jannie went on vacation to Quebec; another when she attended a funeral in Edmonton and the third time was last year, when Min was in hospital. Min says he is as in love with her today, as he was 25 years ago.

If you have ever spent any time with Min, you will have heard him talking about Ethan and Charlotte. Ethan is 16 years old and loves the IB school program that he is in. Charlotte is 12 years old and a promising figure skater who just landed her first double axel. Over the years, I have seen Min spending many happy hours on the tennis court with Ethan and he has excitedly sent me photos and videos of Charlotte figure skating – Min is such a proud dad and has always been there for his children.

He knows that both Ethan and Charlotte will accomplish a lot in their lives and will be able to return all the kindness and generosity given to them, one day.

For those of us who know Min as a tennis friend, we know that he is a legend on the court! His 130mph lefty serve that swings in every direction, except towards your racket is something to be seen. But more than how good he is on the court, is how he is off the court – he stops to speak to everyone at Burnaby Tennis Club, and always has a friendly smile for you.

And for those of you who have worked with Min, will know that his goal is to try and make your day a little happier – whether it’s making a joke or giving credit, where credit is due – he is someone that will always acknowledge you and say hi.

Now it’s our turn to help Min! While he has returned to work to generate some income for his family, and his workplace has been very accommodating, his energy is low and he wants to be at home with his family. This will become even more challenging if he starts chemotherapy again.

I humbly ask you to please donate as much as you can and then share this with friends and colleagues. I know that Min, Jannie, Ethan and Charlotte will be deeply appreciative and Min says that he will be able to rest in peace, knowing that his family is looked after well into the future.