Volunteer Profiles

MEET OUR AACSN VOLUNTEERS
'The people who make our organization'
___________________________________________________

DR. ALLEN HAI VU

HATWALK 2005 Gala Co-Chair
Language Spoken: English, Vietnamese

Hi my name is Hai Allen Vu. I have lived in the Bay Area most of my life after my family relocated from Vietnam in 1975. I currently live in San Jose and practice as a general dentist in the San Jose/Los Gatos/Campbell area. I love making beautiful smiles for my patients.

I have been involved with AACSN since the very first year. AACSN has provided much comfort to patients who are suffering from cancer, especially with the free workshops and wonderful care baskets.

As the co-chairperson for AACSN HATWALK 2005, I’m looking forward to raising the awareness of the Vietnamese community about cancer and the different support resources that are available to people afflicted with cancer.

I hope that AACSN support base grows each year with more volunteers and corporate sponsors. Such support allows AACSN to maintain the current programs and to expand the level of services to other Asian groups in the Bay Area that have not been served.

CANDACE TRUONG
HATWALK 2005 Gala Co-Chair
Language Spoken: English, Chinese (Cantonese)

I was born and raised in San Jose, CA, and the only time I’ve been away from the Bay Area was in college at UC Davis, where I majored in Mathematics and minored in Statistics. I am currently a Quality Program Manager, after years as a Hardware/Software Project Manager.

I’m a big sports fan, mostly as a spectator now, although I still play basketball every once in awhile. I enjoy all sports, but I can’t think of many things better to do than spending a Saturday or Sunday (preferably both) in the sun at SBC Park or the Oakland Coliseum watching the Giants or A’s.

In addition to work and AACSN, most of my free time is spent coaching youth basketball. I’ve been coaching for about 12 years in several youth organizations, including San Jose Community Youth Service (CYS), Mountain View Tri-City Youth Organization, San Jose Zebras Basketball Organization, and for the Asian North-South All-Star Tournament.

My involvement in AACSN was sort of fate. Like many of you, I have had a few family members who have been affected by cancer. Additionally, I had known Fidelia for a few years prior to AACSN (I used to work with her brother), and discovered that I had actually met May (and her husband, Greg) previously. Last year, my AACSN involvement reached its pinnacle, as I was one of HATWALK 2004’s Co-chairpersons.

May Bakken, Wes Mukoyama & Kevin Handa at the Yu Ai Kai Health Fair
(Saturday, May 1, 2005)
___________________________________________________

DR. KENDRA CHUN
AACSN Project Strength & AACSN Medical Board Member
Language Spoken: English

I was born and raised in northern california, but have only recently relocated back to this area after living in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Grosse Pointe. I've known Fidelia (cofounder of AACSN) for years, and it was she who got me involved with the group.

I have been volunteering with AACSN since it was founded in 2003. It's been great helping with the hatwalk, hatmaking workshops, and Project Strength. I also sit on the advisory board and it has been exciting to see the growth of AACSN in such a short period of time. AACSN is made up of a terrific group of caring, energetic, and generous people. It is rewarding to see the difference AACSN has made and help it has provided to so many people. I look forward to its continued success and ongoing contribution to the community!
___________________________________________________

AMY CHEN
AACSN Director of Press & Promotions
Language Spoken: English, Chinese (Mandarin)

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!) and had a childhood appearance on the TV show, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. I’ve moved around quite a bit for my marketing research career, spending time in Chicago, CT/NY, and most recently, Wilmington, DE before moving to the SF Bay area.

I’ve met some of my closest friends through non-profit work, having been recruited initially as a Hatwalk model, and serving as Promotions Director of AACSN for the past two years.

Amy Chen at the Yu Ai Kai Health Fair (Saturday, May 1, 2005)
___________________________________________________

TONY MAESTO
AACSN Volunteer
Language Spoken: English, Vietnamese

I was born in Vietnam but grew up in Boston in an Italian family. I moved to the Bay Area in September of 2000 after receiving my masters degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT. I currently live in Sunnyvale, CA and work as a Systems Engineer and a fashion photographer. (maestophoto.com) I enjoy taking photos for AACSN.

I became involved with AACSN since day one when May asked my dance company to perform at AACSN’s very first gala. In addition to supporting AACSN, I’m in the process of forming The Raymond Maesto Youth Foundation to honor my Dad’s life long work of helping people. My Dad passed away in July of 2003 with lung cancer.

___________________________________________________