Today is Ken’s birthday. Tomorrow, his family will say goodbye.
On what should have been a normal Sunday, Ken Khôi Nguyễn went out to pick up lunch for his daughter and never came home.
On Sunday, March 29, while inside a local McDonald’s getting food for his daughter Kenzie, Ken suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest. In a matter of moments, a simple act of love turned into an unimaginable tragedy.
By the time he arrived at Orange Coast Memorial Hospital, Ken had suffered a severe brain injury and was later declared brain dead. For the past week, his family has held onto hope as he remained on life support. But doctors have confirmed there is no chance of recovery.
Today, April 8, Ken turns 47.
It is a birthday his family will spend by his side in the hospital, holding his hand, speaking to him, and preparing for the hardest decision of their lives.
Tomorrow, they will remove him from life support and say their final goodbye.
Ken leaves behind his wife Mandy and their 16 year old daughter Kenzie, who was his entire world. Everything Ken did, every job he worked, every sacrifice he made, was for his family.
He was the main provider, working two to three jobs just to make ends meet. He was a photographer, worked at a print shop, and took on any extra work he could find. Mandy works in import and export, but without Ken, she is now facing overwhelming uncertainty while grieving the love of her life.
In an instant, everything has changed.
The family is now facing:
- Medical expenses, including $17,000 out of pocket hospital costs
- Funeral and memorial arrangements
- The urgent need to find more affordable housing
- Daily living expenses and Kenzie’s future education
Both sides of the family are elderly and living on social security. While they offer love and emotional support, they are not able to help financially.
Ken was known for his kindness, generosity, and the way he always showed up for others. He loved the outdoors, biking, mountain biking, and playing pickleball. He loved life. He loved his family. And he loved helping people.
If anyone needed him, he was there.
He spent his life taking care of others.
Now, his family needs us.
Today, on his birthday, as his family prepares to let him go tomorrow, we ask you to open your heart to Mandy and Kenzie.
If Ken were here, he would be the first person to help someone in need. Today, we have the chance to honor him by doing the same for his family.
Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference and help give them some stability as they face the unimaginable.
Thank you for your kindness, your compassion, and your support.
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
St. Teresa of Calcutta
Note for Donors:
- GoFundMe automatically adds a suggested tip of 16.5% at checkout. This tip is optional and does not go to the family. You have the option to adjust the tip amount, even to $0, by clicking on “Enter custom tip” before completing your donation. This option is located on the left, just below the box where you enter the donation amount. This setting can be easy to miss, so please take a moment to review it if needed. Thank you.
- I have received several requests about donating outside of GoFundMe. You are welcome to do so. You may give cash or check to someone who knows Ken or his family and have it forwarded to Mandy. You may also send electronic payments to me via Zelle or Venmo, and I will forward all donations directly to Mandy. I will provide confirmation once the transfer is completed. Thank you.
Organizer’s Note:
I have known Ken for many years through my younger brother Kiệt, as they have been friends since junior high school. Seeing this devastating situation and knowing that Mandy does not currently have someone to help her manage this, I offered to assist in setting up and managing this GoFundMe on her behalf.
For full transparency, all donations will go directly to Mandy. I am simply helping share their story and support them during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for your love and support.
Teresa Thuynhi Nguyen
Organizer and beneficiary
mandy huynh
Beneficiary