# Help the University of Wyoming Ph.D. Student Victim Recover from Acrylamide Poisoning

You may have seen the recent news about a University of Wyoming Ph.D. student who was poisoned with acrylamide, a neurotoxic chemical, through a coffee maker at his workplace.

I am Giang Pham, the victim's wife. My husband, Kiet, is not only a Ph.D student but also a father of our 2 years old child, is now suffering from potentially permanent neurological damage. He has been working hard toward his doctoral degree while trying to build a better future for his family.

Because acrylamide, neurotoxic poisoning, is a rare condition, medical expenses have been exorbitant, and his medical needs are expected to continue. We never imagined that our family would face something like this, and asking for financial help is not easy for us.

### What Happened

Over the past several weeks, he has experienced concerning neurological symptoms, including numbness, weakness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. When he tries to concentrate, his hand will not move as intended. It is also difficult for him to lift anything above 10 lbs. After struggling to understand what was causing these symptoms, we discovered evidence of suspected acrylamide contamination in water from his workplace coffee maker.

Acrylamide is a toxic chemical that can damage the nervous system. The incident has received widespread media attention, but for our family, the greatest concern is what this exposure may mean for his health and future.

### Our Family's Situation

Like many graduate student families, we have been living on a very limited income while working hard to complete our education and raise our young child.

We have always tried to live modestly, manage our expenses carefully, and build a stable future through education and hard work.

Now, we are facing medical uncertainty and expenses that we never anticipated.

Specialized toxicology testing, neurological evaluations, travel to medical specialists, and potential long-term treatment may place a significant financial burden on our family.

We are particularly worried about how his health may affect his ability to complete his Ph.D., continue working, and support our child.

We do not yet know how long his recovery will take or what medical care may be necessary. For a family already living on a graduate student budget, even a few unexpected expenses can become overwhelming.

### A Message From Our Family

While this case has attracted attention in the news, we are simply a family trying to get through an incredibly difficult time.

He has worked tirelessly toward his Ph.D., hoping to use his education and scientific training to make a positive difference in the world. More than anything, we want him to regain his health and have the opportunity to continue pursuing his dreams.

We are not asking for anything beyond the chance to get him the care he needs and keep our family stable during this uncertain time.

Every donation, no matter how small, would mean so much to us. If you cannot donate, sharing our story would also be a tremendous help.

Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support.

*With heartfelt gratitude,*

*The wife of the UW poisoning victim, Kiet*