Helping Our Son, an Army Soldier, Fight Stage 4 Cancer

Our son, a proud U.S. Army Captain, is now battling stage 4 cancer alone in Colorado — and we’re flying from Korea to be by his side.

Hello, I am Seong’s mother, Jenny. I never imagined I would write something like this.

My son is currently serving in the U.S. Army as a Captain. He came to America when he was only 14 years old, chasing the American dream with no parents by his side. Even as a young boy, he was full of kindness — always volunteering, feeding the homeless with Pastor Gloria Kim at Zion Gospel Mission in Los Angeles. He has always put others first.

Eventually, Seong found his calling in the Army. He told me, “This is the most meaningful job. I get to serve the country I love, protect others, and live with purpose.” He worked hard and rose from a regular enlisted soldier to an officer. This year marks his 9th year of service.

This year, he was so excited to deploy to Camp Casey, Korea, right near the DMZ. As a Korean-born American, he felt proud that he could use his language and culture to help the mission. I was overjoyed too — it meant I could finally see my son again.

But in May of this year, our lives changed. Seong was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma cancer. The deployment was canceled. The cancer has also caused a fracture in his hip, and now he moves around on crutches while preparing for treatment. Now he is in Colorado, about to start chemotherapy — alone, without any family nearby.

Even more painful than the cancer itself is watching how it affects him emotionally. As his mother, all I want is for him to focus on getting better — but he keeps worrying that he may never return to the Army, the job he loves so deeply. Hearing that, when his only concern should be healing, breaks my heart even more.

My husband and I have now paused our work, and we’ve booked our flights to America. We are preparing to fly to Colorado before his chemo begins, so he doesn’t go through this alone. We don’t know how long we’ll need to stay — months, maybe years — or what the cost will be. But we are ready to give up everything to be by his side.

What hurts even more is this: Seong told me the Army hospital had seen something in his chest back in January, but they failed to follow up. If they had informed him then, maybe it wouldn’t have reached stage 4. As a mother, it breaks my heart knowing this might have been caught earlier.

I’m not an expert in America, cancer, or the military. I’m just a worried mom doing everything I can to help my son — who has always given so much to others — and who now faces the fight of his life, completely alone.

If you feel moved to help — even a little — your support will help us stay with Seong through treatment, bring him comfort, and make sure he’s not fighting alone. Any amount helps — no donation is too small.

Funds will go toward airfare, housing, daily living expenses in the U.S., and any uncovered medical-related costs as we support Seong through his treatment.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

— Seong’s Mom

Seong with his fellow soldiers during field training — already carrying cancer inside, without knowing it.

Even as a little boy, Seong loved helping others. This is who he’s always been.

Seong’s first time in America — just 3 years old. Who knew this country would become his whole life, not just a trip