At Friends of Max, this year, we dedicate GIST Awareness Day to the memory of our patient leader and advocate Nikhil Guhagarkar.
A note by Viji Venkatesh, Managing Trustee FOM and Member- Board of Directors, The Max Foundation
“Nikhil passed away exactly five years ago and to this day we feel his presence in our midst and continue to be inspired by the legacy of courage and compassion he has left behind.
“What’s something unexpected that GIST has taught you about yourself, others or life?“
When I look at what we’re asking ourselves on Sarcoma Awareness Month and thereupon joining the GIST community worldwide and sharing our voice:
It is Nikhil and his philosophy of life that comes to mind.
GIST is no easy cancer to deal with and it requires tremendous strength and will to come to terms with all that this diagnosis entails.
Post his diagnosis it took Nikhil three years to get himself out of his self-imposed exile.
And once he was out he broke new barriers every day. He showed us that it was possible to take decisions which urged you to do the unexpected. That one could reinvent oneself without letting cancer define who you were.
Nikhil became a tireless man of action who showed us all night and day how to better our previous day. He became FOM’s poster child in advocacy.
We commit ourselves again this year to Nikhil’s eager enthusiasm and vow to continue his work. His life’s joy.”
Leave a Reply