A Father's Last Wish: "Help Save My Son"

Kevin Wong fought courageously against cancer. But that's not what this fundraiser is about. This is about how, in his last days on Earth, Kevin fought to save the life of his 8-year-old son, Albert. Watch Kevin's story below—and help him finish the fight of his life.  


Kevin Wong was a restaurateur, investor, and the proud husband of Sindy and father of Albert and Aiden.

In 2014, Kevin was diagnosed with esophageal cancer—a disease he fought tenaciously to beat. After getting the all-clear from his doctors, Kevin returned to life as usual.

But “life as usual” had taken on a new meaning. Kevin and Sindy had recently learned that Albert, their oldest son, had Duchenne muscular dystrophy—a debilitating and aggressive illness for which there is no cure.

In the course of their research and advocacy on Albert’s behalf, Kevin and Sindy discovered CureDuchenne,  an organization that provides support for families coping with Duchenne and funding for researchers working on a cure.

Kevin and Sindy became ardent supporters of CureDuchenne, seeing firsthand how it made Albert’s life better. And how, because of that, it made their lives better. They witnessed the same thing play out in the lives of so many families—CureDuchenne gave them all hope.

Then, five years after Kevin had beaten cancer, it returned. This time it was more aggressive—the esophageal cancer spread to his organs and bones. Treatment at hospitals in Illinois and then at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore were helpful at first but ultimately not effective.

In his last days, Kevin set out to raise as much money for CureDuchenne as possible, in the hopes that they’ll fund a cure that may one day save Albert’s life. His worsening illness and the global COVID-19 pandemic delayed and altered his plans, but he never gave up.

Kevin passed away on August 8, 2020—his fortieth birthday. He was at home in Illinois, surrounded by friends and family who loved him so very much.

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About This Campaign

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. 

Back in the early spring of 2020, when Kevin was still actively pursuing aggressive treatment—before his esophageal cancer had spread to his lungs and bones—he had a plan. 

And what a grand plan it was. 

Kevin had rallied the support of several individuals and organizations who collaborated to plan a huge in-person fundraiser. The Mandarin Oriental hotel in Washington, D.C., was secured as the venue. Several celebrity chefs—friends of his from the restaurant industry—had agreed to be auctioned off at the event to the highest bidder, with all proceeds going to CureDuchenne. 

It was going to be an amazing night. A night that would help Kevin leave a legacy. A night that would help save Albert’s life. 

And then… well, we know what happened. A global pandemic knocked us on our heels and far off course. And Kevin’s prognosis worsened as the cancer spread.

But Kevin is a fighter. And his story is still urgent, and his cause is still noble, and his love for his son is overwhelming and eternal. And his strength and example are worth preserving—worth sharing with the world. 

So this fundraiser isn’t at the Mandarin Oriental with celebrity chefs, but it’s what we—friends and family of Kevin, Sindy, Albert, and Aiden—could do. We sincerely hope you’ll join us in donating to CureDuchenne. For Kevin. For Albert. For a Father's Last Wish.