Purpose.

“This work is personal.”

My grandfather was the strongest man I knew, a true warrior, and the king of our home village. He served in the army for 20 years, came back and worked even harder to provide for the family while taking care of my siblings and me. Together with my grandmother, they raised us with all the warmth and love they could offer.

Before his diagnosis, my grandparents applied for visas to visit us in America, excited at the thought of reuniting with the grandchildren they helped raise. Unfortunately, their visas were denied. None of us knew then how critical that missed opportunity would be.

Soon after, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. Even as he battled the illness with courage, he continuously asked the same question, “When are my grandchildren coming to see me?” While in America my siblings and I are still in the school year, unable to visit him. This especially hurt for us because they were there for us every step of the way, through all of the hurdles as they taught us how to walk, talk, and prepare us for our life ahead but when they needed us the most, we couldn’t be there for them. Their last wishes was to be able to embrace us in their arms before they left this world, which couldn’t be fulfilled.

After months battle with cancer, my grandfather lost his fight. My grandmother was devastated. In our village, her identity had long been tied to my grandfather’s legacy. Without him, she felt invisible and withdrew from the community. The grief and loneliness overwhelmed her, she was depressed, and months later, she followed my grandfather to heaven.

As devastating as this story was for our family, it budded a passion in me to help patients and family in their difficult journey fighting something as demonic as cancer. Their story stays with me. My wish via this project is to alleviate some pain and sufferings for individuals and families going through this challenging fight. I do not want any family to endure that kind of pain alone or grieve in silence the way my grandmother did. She was the kindest person I knew, always going out of her way to help others in need, no matter who they were. This nonprofit is how I choose to honor my grandparents. I hope to carry forward the same love and care they gave me and offer that same support to others who need it most.

-Dipika T

GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/e5e2cd23