One of my paternal aunts recently passed away due to complications from lung cancer. Her funeral was on 2/6/24 in Westminster, CA. May she rest in peace.
"But now you’re not letting yourself feel anything. I know sometimes it hurts more to hope and it hurts more to care. But you have to promise me that you won’t stop caring.” —Katara
Currently, a very important loved one is dealing with another lung issue: pulmonary fibrosis. As we struggle through the fear and uncertainty of lung disease, I realize I have already been grieving the loss of life without worrying about severe medical complications, without multiple medical appointments each year, and without concerns about medical bills. Throughout this grieving process, I think about the memories made, current conflicts within our relationship network, and the type of future to navigate toward knowing that things may change at any moment, that today's wellness isn't necessarily guaranteed tomorrow.
“You sound like my nephew, always thinking you need to do things on your own without anyone’s support. There is nothing wrong with letting the people who love you help you.” —Iroh
As a social worker and son of refugees who survived genocide in Cambodia, I see how all the social determinants of health have truly impacted my family and others similar to mine. According to the CDC, cancer is the leading cause of death for “Asian non-Hispanic” Americans, and COVID-19 is the third. I lament the fact that we live in a world where clean air isn't as emphasized as clean water (which actually is still not accessible to many in this country) and where environmental racism harms so many. I wish that restaurants, nail salons, and factories did not expose so many refugees and immigrants to toxins and carcinogens while they were just trying to make a living. I hate that so many Chinatowns and other ethnic enclaves are built near highways, oil refineries, chemical plants, and other air-pollution-producing, cancer-inducing, disease-causing sources.
I resent the fact that while many of our parents, aunts, and uncles were trying to survive, build a life from having lost everything, and provide opportunities for future generations, many of our families were silently and disproportionately being exposed to sources of great harm.
"We’re all connected. Everything is connected.” —Aang
If you watched Avatar: The Last Airbender and know me, you'll know why I chose to name this team East Coast Airbenders. Advocacy is part of my healing journey. I envision a nation where we don't privilege the wealthy and white and in which we aren't targets of annihilation. I dream of a world where we could live and breathe freely, and I believe much of that is possible.
We can't actually bend air, but just for a few months and hopefully many more, I hope we can fly together on this journey of honoring those we lost, maintaining hope and making life better for those struggling with lung disease, and seeking racial and environmental justice.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for donating or joining my team.