Dear Friends,
September 5th would have been Vinay's 30th birthday. He planned to spend his special day with family and friends. Vinay was the eternal optimist, always striving to assist others, often foregoing his own struggles. Vinay's wish was to see that all those needing a bone marrow transplant would have the opportunity to have one. He most desperately hoped that no one had to go through the grueling process of having to find a donor. Unfortunately there are hundreds of people who struggle with this predicament daily. Vinay and his family urge you to continue to strive to make this world a better place and to donate your time to your community and to your world. Take the time to volunteer at a bone marrow drive, donate blood and encourage your friends and family to register at your local stem-cell center.
In honor of Vinay's memory we are celebrating his life this upcoming weekend at the Central Park/Lake Elizabeth, in Fremont California, the place where Vinay grew up. We invite all of those involved with Team Vinay to come visit us and enjoy his memory, with food, recreation and friends from 11am-4pm on Saturday September 6th. We know that it may not be feasible for many of you to share the day with us in person, so we urge you to take a moment to remember him that day and to remember what he stood for and to continue your own personal momentum to better yourself and those around you. Many others have enquired about donating their time and money to a worthy effort in India. We urge those generous individuals to lend your support to Jeevan Blood Bank (www.jeevan.org).
Vinay, I miss you every second of everyday. I never thought the day would come when I would not have you at my side and a terrible void exists in my heart. But I know that your spirit is watching over me, hoping that I would do more for those less fortunate than me. When I think of you I think of Abraham Lincoln's words, "And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." With this I will honor your life until the welcomed day I meet you again.
Your Brother, Bharath
Help Vinay!
URGENT! JOIN THE MARROW REGISTRY!!!
nice blog!
my condolences, this is the another begining without her.
Not a single day goes by
Not a single day goes by when I do not think of you and miss you chinna. Tomorrow will 2 years since you left us but you live in our hearts. May God keep you in His care.
Love,
Lakshmi auntie
My dear brother
My dear brother Vinay:
People like you never die.....What a good student you must have been.... I firmly believe that there is higher purpose behind all this...You are among us working at a higher plane for the common good of humanity...
Rashmi dear be strong....
With lots of love and good wishes to Vinay's family and team.
May God bless you all
Rashmi and Family, The day
Rashmi and Family,
The day after I had surgery to remove cancer from both my breasts, I watched the documentary "The Truth About Cancer". Vinay's story was so moving. At the end of the documentary Vinay is wearing a shirt with this web address on it so I checked it out and was so saddened to know Vanay (and also Sameer) had passed. They fought so valiantly and with so much compassion. Vanay wondered what his life had meant. I can only say, here I am a total stranger encouraged in my own struggle on behalf of his spirit and committed "to continue my own momentum" to better myself and those around me. I am a teacher here in San Francisco and by definition we pass the spirit of those who move us on to our students. It is a beautiful truth that as surely as cruelty and injustices pass from one to another so can goodness and compassion. And so it is with Vinay's courage and compassion. It lives on in a mysterious way even in the heart of a stranger. Know too that I will encourage all my friends and their families (I have several of South Asian decent) to register as potential donors in honor of both Vanay and Sameer. My prayers are with you all. And also my gratitude. Desiree
Vinay
To Vinay's family
There is something about Vinay and his story that compels me to keep coming back to this website. If I could shed as many tears as I have for a complete stranger, then I can only imagine what you must be going through.
I admire your tremendous strength and the courage to carry on. I do hope his wife Rashmi is well.
If it isn't too painful please do keep updating this site. It's heartwarming to hear stories of Vinay
Your family is in my thoughts more than you can ever imagine
Very interesting, i like
Very interesting, i like this website.
Still remembering
I'm running the Nike half marathon in October for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society in honor of all patients that battled this disease or currently are battling this disease. When I signed up, I thought of Vinay and Samir. He will always be remembered and my prayers are with you
Remembering Vinay
To All Friends of Vinay and TEAM VINAY Supporters
First we want to apologize for not communicating with you all for the past one year. This last year was very tough for our family and we are emotionally drained. It is still very difficult for us to accept that Vinay has passed away. Not a day goes by without we talking about Vinay. We are trying our best to carry on with our life living in the sweet memories of Our Dear Vinay. The family would like to thank you all for your moral support and caring for the family.
To Vinay, his family and
To Vinay, his family and friends. Thinking of you today. You're all in our prayers.
1 year anniversary
I have not been able to stop thinking of Vinay for the last several days since I know June 25th 2009 (today) will be the first anniversary of his passing. I had a knot in my stomach since this morning, I can't even imagine what his family must be feeling. I am praying that he is in peace and that his family/friends have found some peace atleast, after such a tragedy. May his soul rest in peace and may he watch over like an angel! I pray that Rashmi is doing well, would really appreciate a one line update. God bless!
After all these months, I
After all these months, I still often think of Vinay and his family. I keep praying to God to give every one peace in their hearts. I have a picture of Vinay in heaven doing even more wonderful things! He must have been a great soul to have so many strangers feel this way about him. Please do update on how Rashmi and the rest of the family is doing.
To Rashmi, Vinay's Parents,
To Rashmi, Vinay's Parents, and Bharath,
Just wanted to let you know that we do often think of you and Vinay; and, I'm hoping that you all are doing well.
Take care,
Shruthi
Remembering...
Today in Canada we are celebrating Remembrance Day... for some reason Vinay came to my mind. I won't ever forget the example he set and the lessons he taught us all...
How is Rashmi
Hey Bharath and family
please update us on how Rashmi is doing
thanks
Happy birthday Vinay! Having
Happy birthday Vinay! Having been a donor at your camp, I have always admired yours and Rashmi's strength and determination to sustain during the difficult times. This one's for both of you for staying strong and united through thick and thin!!
You guys are awesome for bringing so much awareness to the bone marrow drive. We will always celebrate Vinay and Sameer's lives !!
All the best
It feels so great to see that you have arranged for so many drives to help others. My heart is filled with joy and greatfulness for everyone doing this.
All the very best to all of you.
Dear Bharath and
Dear Bharath and family,
Please know that we all continue to think of you and offer you our continued support and prayers. I never met Vinay, but helped organized some of the drives. What Vinay, with the help of your friends and family managed to do, is absolutely incredible. It is clear that he made this world a much better place and how lucky we all are to have him watching over us.
Wishing you much peace...
I have never met Vinay
I have never met Vinay personally but I was a donor at one of your camps and since then I am a regular visitor of your website. Vinay's story changed my life. Vinay definitely made this world a better place to live and I cannot imagine how deeply you Guys are missing vinay. I have a child too and I know how difficult it is to loose a child.
I am so sorry you had to go thru this. But please remember vinay Touched lot of people and will be remembered by all of them.
Happy Birthday Vinay,
Happy Birthday Vinay, wherever you are. I am sure you are watching over your loved ones like their guardian angel.
May God give your family the strength to overcome this loss and may they find peace in your memories. Take care rashmi, we hold you very close to our heart and you are always in our prayers.
Vinay's spirit lives on
I never met Vinay except through this website. We did a bone marrow drive for him in MI. In spite of never having met him in person, I feel compelled to keep coming back to this website to see updates. There is such a void and sadness in my heart each time I read about him but I also am amazed at what a great soul Vinay was! The video/pics were so touching. I truly pray that he is at peace and watching over his loved ones. I try to use his life as an inspiration in my daily life. His mission on earth was accomplished in such a short life....I pray for Rashmi's strength and would like to hear some udpate at some point that she is doing well.
Chakravarthy and Rao family
Bharat,
We were not able to be at Fremont on Saturday physically but we were there in spirit. We are sending our thoughts to your family and the Rao family. May God give you the strength to bear his absence.
Missing Vinay terribly!
Sudha and Prakash
The strength you (Vinay's
The strength you (Vinay's family) have shown and the effort you are still making to fulfill Vinay's wishes is amazing. I have no doubt that Vinay is indeed watching over all of you and is still with all of us in spirit. The impact Vinay, and now all of his friends and family, have made is much more significant than most of us make in a whole lifetime. May god bless you all and keep giving you strength.