Missouri City 9-year-old raises money for cancer treatment

Houston Chronicle
July 17, 2007, 2:44PM

Occasionally the debate rages on whether or not television influences children, but in the case of Fresno resident Tu Van Pham, there's no doubt it did — but in a good way.

The 9-year-old, who will start fifth grade at Sienna Crossing Elementary School in Missouri City this fall, saw a news story about ovarian cancer.

"When I first heard it on the news, that it happens to women, I was wondering if my mom could get it," Pham said. "So when I found out I could help raise money for it, I wanted to do that."

Pham recently participated in the M.D. Anderson Sprint for Life 5K run/walk, raising pledges of $1,370.

She donated $500 to the cancer center, and the rest went to another cause close to her heart, the Sunflower Mission.

Established in 2002, the Stafford-based nonprofit organization raises funds for school projects or scholarships in Vietnam.

"We have known Tu Van's family for a long time," said Tuan Dao, chairman of Sunflower Mission. "She's been to some of our fundraising events, such as the garage sales. And she likes to run; so, she participated in this 5k race and decided to donate some of the money to Sunflower Mission.

"The idea of children helping children, from two seas apart, is wonderful. Our mission is to support children of Vietnam, but the secondary benefit is to train and develop U.S. youth into leaders, and to become more involved in nonprofit charitable activities."