Perhaps no one lives our organization’s motto of “Service Above Self” more passionately than Son Michael Pham. A longtime member of Seattle’s University District Rotary Club, Son escaped Vietnam with just the shirt on his back during the fall of Saigon in 1975. As a refugee, he was immensely grateful for the support he got after his family resettled in the United States. Son never forgot. He funneled his gratitude into a life of serving others. His charitable organization, “Kids Without Borders” works in more than 30 countries. Son believes that by encouraging children to help other children, they will recognize their similarities rather than their differences. He is the recipient of numerous local, national and international awards for his work.
Son was leading yet another humanitarian trip to Vietnam when he was swept out to sea on October 23 while swimming in Danang. Now, our beloved brother lies in critical condition in a Bangkok hospital. CPR restored his heartbeat, but his condition remains dire. Seattle Rotarians have created a GoFundMe account so all of us can help with the click of a button. All donations will go to Son’s medical care which includes medivacking him back to the USA, ongoing medical treatment, medication, legal expenses and long term care as needed.
Son’s fighting hard. Now it’s our turn to fight hard for him.
