Spring Break
Remembering Phong
MSU student's spirit lives on through cherished friends, family
Erin Kourkounis
Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: News
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The 19-year-old aerospace engineering major died Dec. 19 after losing a hard-fought battle with non-Hodgkin highly aggressive lymphoma, a cancer that resides in the lymph nodes and blood stream.
The aspects of life Le valued the most were his family, friends and education, Tiffani Le said of her son.
"Phong was a very caring and outgoing individual who was always friendly and smiling," she said.
"If you met Phong, you will never forget him." Some of his favorite things to do included singing, playing video games, hanging out with friends and spending time with his family, his mother said. He also enjoyed driving his car and had a particular fondness for Disney World.
"Phong was an amazing young man who touched the lives of many people," she said. "He will never be forgotten by family and friends."
Phong Le was diagnosed with lymphoma Oct. 30. The following day, he was moved from Ocean Springs Hospital to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. His support system of family and friends helped him cope as the cancer spread, with each day bringing new obstacles.
He created a Facebook group, "Phong's Super Duper Cancer Support Group," to update his friends on how he was doing day-to-day in the hospital. In an update on the group's page, Le wrote, "Thank you so much for all of your support. I didn't think I had that great of an impact on people. This really helps me as I go through this every day."
Born in Pascagoula and raised in Ocean Springs, he also spent five years in Long Beach, Calif.
Le graduated in the top 25 percent of his class at Ocean Springs High School in 2006. He was a member of an honors society and a choir quartet. He sang in his high school choir for four years.
His plans were to graduate from Mississippi State University, then join the Air Force and become a pilot, Tiffani Le said.
Sarah Miller, a sophomore elementary education major at the University of Southern Mississippi, said Le was one of a kind. Miller, who met Le through her boyfriend in high school, said he was one of her best friends.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
David Schweitzer
posted 2/13/08 @ 2:23 PM CST
I didn't know Phong personally, but he was a great friend to one of my friends, and her tone was nothing short of "awesome" when she spoke in light of him or concern when all this happened. (Continued…)
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