A 1-year-old Cambodian boy brought to the United States for life-altering open-heart surgery and the nonprofit group that made the trip possible will be acknowledged by the City Council Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Soksamnang Vy, who lives in a destitute village outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, suffered from a dime-sized hole in his heart called a ventricular septal defect. Although easily repaired in the United States, untreated the defect leads to fatigue, heart damage and a shortened life expectancy.
Hearts Without Boundaries, a Long Beach nonprofit, helped broker a deal with a Las Vegas hospital to treat the boy and arranged and paid for transportation and lodging for the boy and his mother, Ratha Pang.
Peter Chhun, founder of Hearts Without Boundaries, says Soksamnang, nicknamed Lucky, and his mother will return to Cambodia March 12.
He is now negotiating with Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach to care for another stricken child.
Soksamnang is the second child the nonprofit has brought to the U.S. The first, 9-year-old Davik Teng, returned to her home in July and is reported to be in good health.
Soksamnang Vy, who lives in a destitute village outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, suffered from a dime-sized hole in his heart called a ventricular septal defect. Although easily repaired in the United States, untreated the defect leads to fatigue, heart damage and a shortened life expectancy.
Hearts Without Boundaries, a Long Beach nonprofit, helped broker a deal with a Las Vegas hospital to treat the boy and arranged and paid for transportation and lodging for the boy and his mother, Ratha Pang.
Peter Chhun, founder of Hearts Without Boundaries, says Soksamnang, nicknamed Lucky, and his mother will return to Cambodia March 12.
He is now negotiating with Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach to care for another stricken child.
Soksamnang is the second child the nonprofit has brought to the U.S. The first, 9-year-old Davik Teng, returned to her home in July and is reported to be in good health.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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