HÀ NỘI — Former Southeast Asian Games billiard champion Đỗ Hoàng Quân, who was recently diagnosed with rectum cancer, is in need of help for treatment.

Quân, 35, received news of his cancer several days ago and will need immediate surgery, in which doctors must cut part of his rectum and give him an artificial anus. He has regained senses, but doctors are still observing his health condition.

Quân was a member of the national team for many years, but he has no health insurance and has to pay 100 per cent of the surgery expense, which will cost more than VNĐ100 million (US$4,500). The cost is expected to go up in the next few days.

Quân lives alone after his divorce three years ago. He opened a business in HCM City but suffered bankruptcy.

His salary as a national team member was not enough to make a living. Hanoian Quân had to compete for Đà Nẵng in various local tournaments, as well as take part in international competitions for money.

The world No 32 won the SEA Games title in the men’s doubles 9 pool event, along with teammate Lương Chí Dũng, in 2009 in Laos.

At the 2015 Games in Singapore he took a silver, after being in the top 8 of China Open and top 12 of the US Open events.

Members of the national team have called on the public for help.

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