Standing Strong with Houa – Fight Brain Cancer Together

On February 26, our brother Houa Vang’s life—and ours—was turned upside down.

What started as a fall at work a couple weeks prior quickly turned into something far more serious. Houa went in to get a checkup after experiencing numbness on his right side and slurred speech. A CT scan revealed an abnormal growth in his brain, setting off a whirlwind of MRI scans, hospital stays, biopsies, and anxious waiting.

At first, doctors believed it to be Glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain cancers. But after further testing, the diagnosis shifted to something even more rare and severe: H3K27-mutant midline diffuse glioma, a high-grade level 4 tumor located dangerously close to the thalamus. By the time it was found, the tumor had already grown to 4.3 x 3 cm.

Since then, Houa has been hospitalized twice. He’s currently being treated with radiation while managing the intense symptoms and side effects through steroids, anti-seizure medications, and pain relief. The prognosis given was sobering—mere weeks without treatment, and potentially up to a year with it. But we’re not giving up. Houa is continuing treatment, and we are working closely with the neuro-oncology team to explore clinical trials and any emerging therapies that might offer hope beyond what statistics say.

Many of you know Houa by ‘Hovan’. He is more than a diagnosis—he’s a brother, son, father, friend, and a fighter. His strength and spirit through all of this has been nothing short of incredible. But this battle is not one he can—or should—fight alone.

We are reaching out with this campaign not just to raise funds, but to rally support. Medical costs, transportation, time off work, and the day-to-day expenses of navigating a cancer diagnosis are quickly adding up. Every donation, no matter how small, goes directly toward Houa’s care and the support system around him.

We’re also asking for something just as important: your prayers and your positive thoughts.

This is a journey we’re walking together—with Houa, and with everyone who has known the pain of watching a loved one face something this hard. While this diagnosis is rare and aggressive, we choose to stand in hope, in faith, and in solidarity.

Please consider donating, sharing Houa’s story, and helping us bring more light into his life during this incredibly difficult time. Together, we believe in the power of community, love, and resilience.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us.

With love,

Houa’s Family

#HovanStrong #TeamHoua #BrainCancerAwareness #FightCancerTogether