OBIT: Vinay Chakravarthy loses battle with leukemia

[UPDATED: Funeral plans in Boston added below. Please continue sharing your thoughts.]

In March 2008, we wrote about the passing of Sameer Bhatia, one of two South Asian men whose struggle with leukemia had caught the imagination of South Asians and others across the U.S. We are sorry to report that the other young man, Vinay Chakravarthy, 29, passed away this morning.

"We are devastated at our loss today," said a spokesperson for the Chakravarthy family. "Vinay was an amazing soul who inspired all of us with his will to live. We take some comfort in knowing his journey may have saved lives through the campaign, and in all the lives he touched with his love and
spirit."

Vinay, through HelpVinay.org and Sameer, through HelpSameer.org, used their illness as a way of mobilizing the community and bringing attention to the lack of South Asians in the national bone-marrow registries.

Vinay was featured in a April 16, 2008, PBS/WGBH special, "The Truth About Cancer," taking on the question, "how far have we come in the war on cancer." You can learn more about the show here; you can watch it here; Vinay's segment begins here (chapter 5).

This is a logo of the PBS show: Vinay with his wife, Rashmi; they were married in 2005.

Vinay's last posting on HelpVinay was on May 12:

Hello everyone!

Once again sorry about the delay in updating all of you especially after the PBS documentary. Well as most my already know since my relapse in January 2008 after BMT, I received a dose of mylotarg which placed me in remission. Since then I have been battling graft versus host disease and multiple complications that have placed me in the ICU three times now. The first time for acute kidney and liver failure and the second, third time for excessive blood loss from the gut. I was successfully treated for all ICU visits, the last stay I required an interventional radiology procedure to stop the internal bleeding. After the procedure I was transferred back to the regular floor and my diet was slowly advanced to normal! I am doing well so far and will be transferring to a physical rehab center here in Boston to get my overall strength back. I hope to be home for good in 2-3 weeks! The rehab facility will provide 3 hours of physical therapy seven days a week, quite intense but should be better for me in the long run.

While I was in the ICU a lot has happened in our community, I want to send my love to Sameer and his family. Please if you need anything let us know, let the community know, we will always be there for you.

Here's what his parents had sent out last year (via SAJAer Seshu Badrinath, Vinay's cousin):

Vinay is the world to us - he is warm, funny, and loving. We have watched him grow from a little baby, to a young boy playing sports, to a fine young man determined to be a doctor, to a man marrying the girl of his dreams. Please help our son to have a chance to live - to be with his wife, with us, and with his friends.

If you aren't registered in the registry (I am, having signed up at a SAJA Convention drive some years back), please do so. Here's info on how to do so, from HelpVinay, SAMAR, the South Asian Marrow Association of Recruiters and MatchPia.org.

FUNERAL INFO - BOSTON, from HelpVinay.org:

Thursday:
Viewing is from 5:00 - 7:00 PM ET
Folks will be saying a few words around 5:30 PM
Location: Mann and Rodgers Funeral Home
Located in JP on the corner of South Huntington and Centre Street

Friday:
Rites/Service will be held in the morning from 9:30 AM onward for about an hour.
Location: Mann and Rodgers Funeral Home
Located in JP on the corner of South Huntington and Centre Street

A private cremation for family members only will be held at 10:30 in the Forest Hills area.

 

Some of you have enquired if you could do something in Vinay's memory. We request that you do not send flowers or other gifts. If you would like to make a donation in Vinay's memory, we would suggest that you donate to the National Donor Marrow Program.

Feel free to also donate in Vinay's name.

Vinay's commitment to finding other South Indian's a match has been made evident to the work that him and the group, helpvinay.org have done thus far for the South Asian Community.

 

Please post your thoughts, comments, etc, below. We will make sure his family sees them.

Earlier: Sameer Bhatia loses battle with leukemia

From the comments below, I wanted to highlight the comments of Hemant Wadhwani, who has been involved in the desi bone-marrow circles for year.

At the end, it is a spiritual journey to wake up our community's consciousness. Vinay and Sameer played a great role in our community raising that awareness, and their families were fearless and courageous in their support. Nothing is ever a lost, and your journeys will forever remain in the hearts and spirits of thousands. I remember sitting down with Vinay's brother Bharath 4th of July last weekend doing drives in Orlando and he said no matter what happens, we have to bring people together to inspire and to bring out the positivity in people and to help the next person in need. Both Vinay and Sameer's families/friends did just that, and I am grateful for the friendships made with them and family members along the way. More needs to be done in the fight against blood cancer, and the answer lies back in our roots in the South Asia/Indian subcontinent where little investment has been made in building a robust bone marrow registry. At a time when we are proud to see Indian companies making their mark in Hollywood and the auto industry with billions in investment, a $50 million investment into a bone marrow registry in India can go a long way in saving thousands/millions of South Asian cancer patients lives globally. We continue our work in your memory Vinay and Sameer and for the countless of others who did not make it. We salute you and you have taught thousands the meaning to have reverence for life and for all. In divine friendship and love, Hemant

Post your comments, please.

Comments

[chick pea]

i have no words.. but prayers and strength to be with the family at this most rough time... such a tragic loss...

[Salil]

That's rough...my thoughts go to his family. FWIW, his life had real meaning, and he did a lot with it, and helped change his community for the better. I hope they can find solace in that knowledge.

[SP]

He was the man that made the mountain move. My hero. Vinay, thank you for giving so much. Not only in the form of warmth, smiles, love & good energy, but in the form of even more potent powers. Your life is a testament to the power of community, the power of organizing, and the power of being the change. With so much love and, in solidarity, we will carry your spirit forward.

[F.]

Oh, my heart just breaks. This is terrible news.

[Geeta]

What very sad news. I remember meeting both Vinay and Sameer a few years ago. And I remember doing my bone marrow registration at the SAJA convention. And I remember when my dad bought me a copy of the PBS special, THE TRUTH ABOUT CANCER, he said it was a really good special. Very inspiring. And when things felt overwhelming with my own health, I would look at Vinay and gain a lot of strength. He will remain forever in my heart. My prayers go out to his loved ones and family. Peace.

[Jaya Kamlani]

I posted several comments on the last SAJA posting on Vinay. Even though I did not know him I prayed for him and his family. Since then I have sometimes wondered how he was doing. Now I am sorry to hear of his passing away. I feel we on the SAJA Forum are one big family who care for each other, and hurt when others are hurting. May God Bless him and his loved ones left behind.

Jaya Kamlani

[SAI]

SAIRAM. My heartfelt condolences to the Chakravarty family and to all other relatives and friends of Vinay. I pray to the Divine to shower the family with Love and Grace to comfort them in their intense sorrow and pain.

Love and regards. SAIRAM.

SAI :-) June 25, 2008

[cmc]

I met Vinay and Rashmi in the winter. They were so loving and wonderful. My heart goes out to his family. He is in my thoughts and prayers.

[Hemant Wadhwani]

At the end, it is a spiritual journey to wake up our community's consciousness. Vinay and Sameer played a great role in our community raising that awareness, and their families were fearless and courageous in their support. Nothing is ever a lost, and your journeys will forever remain in the hearts and spirits of thousands. I remember sitting down with Vinay's brother Bharath 4th of July last weekend doing drives in Orlando and he said no matter what happens, we have to bring people together to inspire and to bring out the positivity in people and to help the next person in need. Both Vinay and Sameer's families/friends did just that, and I am grateful for the friendships made with them and family members along the way. More needs to be done in the fight against blood cancer, and the answer lies back in our roots in the South Asia/Indian subcontinent where little investment has been made in building a robust bone marrow registry. At a time when we are proud to see Indian companies making their mark in Hollywood and the auto industry with billions in investment, a $50 million investment into a bone marrow registry in India can go a long way in saving thousands/millions of South Asian cancer patients lives globally. We continue our work in your memory Vinay and Sameer and for the countless of others who did not make it. We salute you and you have taught thousands the meaning to have reverence for life and for all. In divine friendship and love, Hemant

[Ruby Thomas]

Hello all,

If you want to do something in Vinay's memory. We request that you do not send flowers or other gifts. If you would like to make a donation in Vinay's memory, we would suggest that you donate to the National Donor Marrow Program.

Feel free to also donate in Vinay's name.

Thanks
Friends and Family of Vinay

[niru sampat]

Very sad indeed.
Sincere condolences to his family members.

[Radhika]

SAIRAM - My heartfelt condolences to Vinay's family. May god give the strength to Rashmi and other family members to overcome this tough time and be with them. May his soul rest in peace.