Monk's cancer hastens efforts to rebuild Colorado Buddhist temple razed in December fire

WESTMINSTER — There is more of a sense of urgency now among the Laotian community to rebuild the Lao Buddhist Temple of Colorado, which was destroyed by fire in December.

Flames almost claimed the life of Ounkham Vuennasack, the head monk who lived there. He suffered smoke inhalation, mild burns and frostbite.

Vuennasack recovered, but two weeks after the fire, he complained of being dizzy, and doctors discovered a cancerous tumor in the right side of his brain, said Maly Khanthaphixay, whose father was among the key founders of the temple, near West 108th Avenue and Dover Street.

-----

"It's not an exaggeration to say that the temple is our community's heart and soul," Khanthaphixay said.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_19755923?source=rss

Interesting article that highlights how diverse the Buddhist community in America has become...if you're interested in helping there is information at the bottom of the story.