After years of being wrongfully detained, I have finally come home to rebuild a life that was taken from me. Starting from zero hasn't been easy, but I am driven by the love and responsibility I carry for my family and my community.
Here is what your support will help me achieve:
Family & Stability: I am dedicated to caring for my ailing mother and building a future with the love of my life, Syndi Vo. Syndi stood by me every second I was behind bars and has been my rock since the moment I was released. We are working toward the security of a reliable car and our first home.
Entrepreneurship: I am launching my own business to create a foundation of financial independence and provide for my family.
Giving Back: My ultimate goal is to establish my own foundation. Having faced the immense hurdles of reentry firsthand, I want to provide a roadmap and support system for others who have been wrongfully detained so they don't have to navigate these difficulties alone.
Every contribution helps me turn this second chance into a legacy of service and justice. Thank you for being part of my journey.
Murals of hostages from around the globe placed around the USA
Hostage week with Roger Carstens
Syndi and I for the raising and presentation of the new hostage flag in DC during hostage week 2025
Just touching US soil nov26 2024
First kiss 2008 Syndi and I
First kiss 2025 Syndi and I 18yrs later
Mom and I 2025
1st time with mom in over 12 years!
Me mid. 2025
in Washington DC 2025 hostage week
Mom fighting daily my hero!
Ambassador Nick Burns and i before leaving china
Syndi sending me a picture in prison 10yrs later to let me know she still kept it and was waiting …
my brothers for life
With congressman Cloud a few days after return
Our first long awaited mini vacation
Syndi and I 18 years before wow we missed so much time together
Mark Swidan,my son,endured 12yrs wrongfully detained American Hostage in China. One look at his passport would have proved his innocence but was detained. After 12 years and 2 death penalties, the longest person detained in the world. One of only 3 to walk out after this. Mark took the Flag and his patriotism so serious that he wore the American flag in detainment, in the Chinese court, and on the plane home. Despite what Americans believe, there is no program in place to help returning hostages and detainees.
This is a call to arms for fellow patriots that believe in human rights and freedom! Mark’s priorities now are straight and his mind is clear moving foreword: He is determined but Mark cannot do it alone! Now the priorities are to take care of his ailing mother who stood by him, to build a new business, to have a home again, to marry the love of his life for 17 years! To build a foundation to help others returning and to make sure this never happens again. Everything Mark worked for all his life was gone when he came home, even his identity. Starting over from zero at 51 yrs old is harder than anyone can imagine but just as he prevailed against China, he will prevail again…with your help… I know my son is resilient and with right help he will achieve .. he has never let us down.
Please share Mark's story, he is an American PATRIOT and as his mom I want him to be able to move on happily and safe. Please share and donate
Organizer and beneficiary
Mark Swidan
Beneficiary