8/13/96

CONTACT: Stanford University News Service (650) 723-2558

COMMENT: Yul Kwon, (510) 687-4327


Student Evan Chen dies

STANFORD -- Evan Chen, a Stanford sophomore who was diagnosed with leukemia in May, died at his home on July 28, from complications related to his bone marrow transplant this summer. He was 20 years old.

Chen had been recuperating at home, but his condition deteriorated rapidly in late July. He died quietly, in his sleep, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He is survived by his parents and a sister, Emily, who is a junior at Stanford.

Two memorial services are planned for Chen. The first, for family and close friends, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, in the main chapel of Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. A second service, followed by a reception, will be held at Memorial Church during the last week of September. A date has not yet been set.

The Chen family asks that, in lieu of flowers, any contributions be made to a memorial fund established on behalf of Evan. Checks should be made payable to Stanford University, designating that the funds are intended for the "Evan Chen Memorial Fund," and can be sent to the Office of Development, Gift Processing, 301 Encina Hall, Stanford, CA 94305-6076.

Chen, a varsity fencer who planned to major in biological sciences and pursue a medical degree, had complained of fatigue in spring quarter. A routine blood test indicated anemia, and subsequent tests resulted in a diagnosis of the rare biphenotypic leukemia.

Yul Julius Kwon, Chen's roommate and best friend from high school, worked with the Asian American Activities Center, the Asian Staff Forum, Lambda Phi Epsilon fraternity and the Tzu Chi Foundation, a Buddhist organization devoted to humanitarian causes, to organize blood typing drives throughout the Bay Area. Chen was of Asian ancestry and a bone marrow match was thought to be more likely among someone of similar ancestry.

"It's hard to believe my friend is gone and that I only had such a short time to say goodbye," said Kwon. "I can say that I've never been so proud of my best friend as I was in those few moments. I'd never seen him fight so hard. We're going to miss him deeply."

-dm-

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