Davik Teng
Vy Soksamnang
More Stories
Lucky's 1st Birday...
Great Success: Heart surgery gives Soksamnang "Lucky Friday" a new
life...more
Lucky in Las Vegas!
Lucky will have open-heart surgery on Thursday, December 4, to
repair the hole in his heart and provide a new lease on life...more
Happy Holiday Season!!!
As of this writing, Children's Heart Center in Las Vegas is ready
for Lucky...more
Coming To America
Soksamnang (Lucky) and his mother, Ratha, will be arriving in Los
Angeles on November 16th via EVA Airways...more
Soksamnang (Lucky), chosen.
As mentioned, this time, Soksamnang (Lucky), a 9 month-old sick boy
from a poor family was chosen for life saving open-heart surgery...more
"A journey of a thousand miles..."
As you know, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a first
step.”..more
Special Announcement:
A donation of $1000 from His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni of
Cambodia...more
"Imangine"--
An ABC7 Special, a one-hour show called "Imangine"--
To Read more stories, please go to the news section of Hearts Without Boundaries website.
Welcome
Today, the call for action has never been clearer, more urgent, or more desperate.
From the genocide in Cambodia to a brutal war in Iraq; earthquake in the mountains of Pakistan to tsunami-ravaged coasts of Thailand; flooding in Louisiana as a drought worsens in Africa; an unremitting barrage of world suffering has cast enormous hardship and fear across the globe.
The headlines speak for themselves. But for those who cannot—the innocent victims of these horrific events—Hearts Without Boundaries has been formed.
We are wishing you a Merry Christmas, healthy finances and a prosperous 2009
Dear Friends,
Happy Holidays!!!!
Sunday night was a big hit! We celebrated Lucky‟s New Heart on his 1st birthday at the
La Lune restaurant in Long Beach. Lucky, of course, was the center of attention. All
our good-hearted guests, community leaders, relatives and friends had their pictures
taken with him…playing and touching the toddler all night long. Close to two hundred
guests attended. The night was full of joy, food, drink, music and in-kind donations.
Mrs. Jean Marie Van Dine, a teacher from Millikan High school in Long Beach, pre- sented a check in the amount of $800 to Hearts Without Boundaries--the funds collected
from students in her class called "For One Love.‟ Another teacher, Ms. Domani Kem,
from Dexter Middle School in Long Beach presented a check in the amount of $215 that
she collected from her students to support our cause. Dany Kuon, a representative of
Khmer Student Coalition (KSC) which is comprised of 10 different Universities in Cali-
fornia, presented a check in the amount of $430. What a Night! This overwhelming
support speaks volumes. I could not have asked for a better evening.
The evening also allowed our community to meet Susan Grossfeld and her husband Dr.
Paul Grossfeld, a cardiologist from Rady Children‟s Hospital in San Diego, who spear-
headed three heart surgery missions at Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap--
sponsored by Variety Children Lifeline. Their cardiac team from UCSD/Rady Chil-
dren‟s Hospital in San Diego, performed 55 heart surgeries on children suffering from
patent ductus arterious (PDA), a leaky-heart condition that causes the lungs to fill with
blood. Most children with this condition will die prematurely. Hearts Without Bounda-
ries was there to assist this life-saving heart surgeries. Susan and her husband also
helped broker the deal with Sunrise Children‟s Hospital in Las Vegas for Lucky‟s open-
heart surgery. What a great couple!
The next day, after a 1½ hour drive on a wet and cold December afternoon, Lucky and
his entourage arrived at the x-ray department at Rady Children‟s Hospital in San Diego.
After having two x-rays done, they walked a few blocks to Dr. Paul Grosseld‟s office.
Dr. Grossfeld is now taking over the post-operative examinations from Dr. Evans in Las
Vegas. Both doctors agreed that Las Vegas is too far a drive for Lucky.
“After we turned the corner,” David Kem said, “Paul and Susan were outside waiting
for us.” They greeted each other with warm hugs and with Cambodian traditional Chum
Reap Suor (pressing their two palms against their chest). Susan said, “Thank you for
inviting us last night… that was by far one of the best banquets we have ever been to.”
On the way to the cardiology department, a Cambodian-American nurse named Sally
welcomed them. She was so pleased to meet Lucky and his family.
Just outside the department, Susan asked the family if Lucky knew how to walk. David
said, “I think he‟s beginning to prepare himself.” Right away, Susan dropped down on
her knees and held Lucky‟s hands. Lucky smiled at her briefly as she aided him to take
his first baby steps. Everyone was so pleased.
After seeing Lucky‟s echocardiogram, Dr. Grossfeld told the family, “Everything looks
perfect. The echo looks good. No more medications are needed. No more signs of
fluid building up. After 6 months, Lucky will be able to do normal activities.” After
hearing the good news, David, his sister and Lucky‟s mother, Ratha, felt so relieved.
Dr. Grossfeld added, “After 6 months, I think Lucky will be ready to play in the NFL…
or should I say Cambodian football!” Everyone laughed.
The family thanked Dr. Grossfeld and Susan for their kindness. Before hugging good-
bye, Dr. Grossfield reminded the family that he needed to see Lucky again in one
month. It was now late in the evening as the group got in the car--a long drive back to
Long Beach awaiting them.
As of this writing, Lucky‟s story continues to be broadcasted by numerous local TV sta-
tions.
Today, it was seen in Los Angeles on Channel 4 during their midday newscast.
With much respect,
Peter Chhun
President & Founder
Heart Helps Hearts
