Our friend Ed came to Vietnam over 3.5 years ago and decided to try and make it his new home.  He has done his best to make a living following his passion of cooking and feeding people.  He's had a coffee shop, worked as a restaurant consultant, and is currently running Country Comforts, making cheesecakes and pies for those missing a sweet taste of home.  Feeding and helping people is Ed's calling.  He came to Asia to work with NGO's and help those who needed it most, but after a series of interviews that ended up being nothing more than requests for fundraising, he decided to do the best he could on his own.  Ed has entered, and won some, cooking contests that donate the proceeds to the various orphanages within the city.  He personally donates food to orphanages and pagodas that care for children, once helping make 1400 moon cakes for one, and has arranged or participated in giving food and gifts to local children every Christmas.  He plans to stay in Vietnam for a long time, and hopes to develop his cooking businesses into a successful enough venture that he can make a real difference in people's lives. 

Right now, however, it's Ed that needs our help.  In June last year, after 3 months of abdominal pain that would not go away, he went to a local hospital and underwent a whole bunch of tests.  After 3 days and not finding anything that would explain the pain he was feeling, the doctor suggested a full-body CT scan.  It was this scan that detected a 4.9x7.5 cm mass growing on Ed's heart.  Diagnosed as a pericardial cyst that is putting pressure on his internal organs, he was told he will need heart surgery to remove it.  It was explained to him that, if the cyst ruptured, he could die, but other complications could include collapsed lungs, the pinching off of the esophagus or a major artery, and putting pressure on nerves that could effect such things as his voice, cause pain, or lead to numbness in his extremities. 

Ed began his search for a doctor capable of performing the surgery, but none of the hospitals he spoke with in Thailand, Philippines, or India would confirm that they had a doctor who had removed one of these before, as it is a very rare condition.  He wasn't just waiting around though.  This diagnosis motivated him to make some real changes, and since that time Ed has lost more than 25 KG.  He stopped drinking alcohol a week after the diagnosis and has not had a drink in 8.5 month now.  He's in the gym 5 days a week and started training in BJJ/grappling again.  He has done everything he can to get his body ready for surgery, and to make it as easy on the doctor as possible.  He is taking this threat to his life very seriously.

Ed has finally found a doctor, right here in Ho Chi Minh City, that he feels comfortable letting perform the surgery.  He is a well qualified doctor familiar with the procedure who has trained in both France and Australia, and having it done locally will ensure Ed's friends can visit him during recovery and help afterwards if needed.  The cost is also cheaper locally, but it is still the last thing required before it can be completed.  The quote he received was for "about 80 million VND," or about $4000, and that is what we are asking for your help in raising.

Ed will have the surgery as soon as possible.  The doctor can schedule it with a one week notice.  All he needs now are the funds to pay for it.

Help us help Ed, so he can be around to help others for many years to come.  Thank-you.