Viet Nam - Laryngectomee Humanitarian Project

February 2011 Trip

WHAT is a Laryngectomy?

A Laryngectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the larynx (voice box), part or the entire throat, part or the entire esophagus as treatment for cancer of that body part. The most common cause of the cancer is the smoking of cigarettes. But, for the American Veteran and the Vietnamese Veteran of the Viet Nam War, the predominate cause of the cancer is exposure to the spraying of a chemical weapon, Agent Orange (dioxin). This spraying was extensive in a number of areas in Viet Nam during the American/Viet Nam War. It is those areas, which have the highest rate of throat, mouth, nasal, and laryngeal cancer that require a Laryngectomy.

If an American Veteran, who served in the Viet Nam War develops cancer of the throat, mouth, nasal, and laryngeal areas, the Veterans Administration automatically presumes it to be related to Agent Orange spraying. That Veteran is eligible for a host of benefits including substantial financial support. Pointedly, the Veterans Administration/The United States Government recognizes that cancers in these areas of the body (others also) were and continue to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange spraying in Viet Nam.

WHO is a Laryngectomee?

A Laryngectomee as related to this writing is a Veteran of the Viet Nam / American War, either American or Vietnamese. He is a person that was and/or continues to be exposed to the Agent Orange (dioxin) sprayed as a defoliant during the War. He is a person, who, in order to save his life, must have a surgical procedure that removes any or all of these body parts: inside mouth, tongue, pharynx, throat, nasal cavity, and/or larynx (voice box). Following the surgical procedure, the person will never breathe through his mouth again.

He will no longer have a voice, the voice box has been surgically removed. He will eat through his mouth but breathing will completely be through a hole made in the front of his neck, a stoma. He will have a number of complications in his medical and personal care. Depending upon the type of work he does, he could be unemployed for the rest of his life.

WHAT does a Laryngectomee need?

After surviving cancer treatment and a Laryngectomy his most significant need will be the ability to communicate again. Remember, he has no voice. With the proper equipment/devices, prostheses, and training (therapy) the Laryngectomee may be able to acquire an artificial voice adequate for communication. There is special equipment they will need to do so: voice prosthesis, electrolaryngeal devices, and a type of voice therapy.

This cost of this equipment and therapy are far beyond the financial means of the average Vietnamese. In most cases, even if a family tries collectively to pay for a devise, prostheses or therapy they will be unable to.

Viet Nam Laryngectomee Humanitarian Project

This is a humanitarian organization, non-profit, that seeks to assist Vietnamese Laryngectomees acquire the equipment, prostheses, and/or therapy that will allow them to verbally communicate again. Since 2000 this organization has acquired these items through donation by companies that make them, Laryngectomee Groups/Clubs, and families/individuals that no longer have a need for them.

The donation of money is the primary requisite to see this program go forward for 2011 and beyond. This is the area of need which the LZ Russell Association hopes they can assist with. As with any humanitarian organization it comes down to dollars as to whether it is able to meet its' goals and serve the purposes for which they were designed. Viet Nam Laryngectomee Humanitarian Project receives no financial assistance from any governmental agency.

The donations made to the LZ Russell Association for the specific support of the Laryngectomee Project are tax deductible. The Financial Officer will issue a receipt for such purposes.