Sarcoma Awareness Month- GIST Awareness Day

In Loving Memory: Forever in our hearts. Forever a part of the FOM family.

As we approach GIST Awareness Day July 13, we take a moment to remember some of our GISTer friends who are no longer with us.

Their memory encourages us to renew our commitment to be there for one another no matter what. You Are Not Alone

Remembering Bharat Bhushan Vashisht
(4 Aug 1952 – 10 Feb 2026)

Diagnosed with GIST in 2004, Bharat Bhushan lived a full and inspiring life facing all the challenges his condition threw at him with extraordinary calm and a quiet strength.  Bharat Bhushan played a pivotal role in establishing the Friends of Max Delhi City Chapter. A regular and steadfast supporter of Chai for Cancer Bharat Bhushan was a regular at all the Delhi Addas. His family continues this tradition and ensures he will always be in our midst.

Beyond his dedication to Friends of Max and patient advocacy , Bharat Bhushan’s passion for gardening was well known amongst his friends and admirers. An impressive collection of bonsai plants took pride of place in his garden .

His warmth, optimism and gentle smile touched countless lives and he will continue to inspire and motivate us. 

Remembering Dr Nikhil Guhagarkar

we pay tribute to Dr Nikhil Guhagarkar, the pride of our FOM GIST family. He worked hard to bring our GISTers and their caregivers together and secure for them a platform to share and learn from each other.

Through his advocacy and awareness efforts he brought many national and international accolades to Friends of Max.

Nikhil was our face and voice in the International Community bringing his vast experience and sensitive knowledge of coping with GIST in this part of the world. As a Board member of SPAGN, Nikhil represented FOM at multiple conferences and GIST Horizons, engaging with leading oncologists, surgeons, pathologists and other GIST advocates  from around the world.

He brought back invaluable knowledge to his peers in India enabling better understanding and awareness of their disease. In 2015 Nikhil played a pivotal role in launching the dedicated GIST section on the FOM website. The FOM publication on Nutrition Guidelines for GISTers which was his favourite project is still sought after as an important resource.

Despite his busy and dedicated schedule as a physician (Dr. Nikhil was a Dental Surgeon with a busy practice) he still found time to contribute to the GIST community. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to patient advocacy, Nikhil was honoured with the Special Victor Award by the V Care Foundation during their 25th Anniversary celebrations in 2019.

Nikhil passed away in 2020. But his efforts in untiring advocacy work which brought many awards and recognition to FOM continues to inspire us every day and to take his work for GIST Awareness to greater heights.

Remembering George Colaco

Remembering another inspiring GISTer and Patient Advocate.

George Colaco, who was diagnosed in 2010 when he was 50years old and who till he passed away in January this year remained committed to FOM’s mission.  

Affectionately remembered for his light hearted and optimistic approach to life George made sure all of us embraced his life motto “मै स्वस्थ हूँ, मस्त हूँ, तंदुरुस्त हूँ!” (“I am healthy, I am happy, I am fit.”)

He was a strong pillar of support to so many in the GIST family; funny, caring, affectionate and a friend and motivational figure to everyone in the CML community too. George never missed a single Mumbai Patient Support Group Meeting, travelling all the way from Vasai where he lived with his family; his wife, Elbira and their son, Elvis, whom he lovingly called “the love of his life”.

As a long time survivor George was always willing to share his personal experiences and guide fellow GISTers with clarity and compassion on the course of their treatment. This was so helpful especially to those due for their surgery, chemotherapy or radiation sessions.

As George always said, being of use like this bought him immense joy and satisfaction.

Rest in Peace George, your legacy lives on.