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

Vinay was the light of our lives. The gaping void we now feel reflects the intensity with which he shined, and the singular place he will forever occupy in our hearts. We don't know what we are going to do without him. We promise to now take with us, as best we can, the light he carried within him that touched each of us so deeply. We honor him by passing this light on to the people we meet in the journey of our own lives.

In these last months, Vinay wondered how people's lives had changed because of this experience. We didn't know what to tell him. We ask you, here in this space, to share with Vinay, Rashmi and each other, how your life has changed, and what will be different for you and your interactions with humanity.

Much love, brother.

Dear Friends and Family of Rashmi and Vinay,

Details regarding the viewing and the memorial service are below.

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.

Hello everybody, although most of you already are aware… I’d like to let the rest of you know that I have been home now for a week. It feels great to be home! I guess you don’t realize how much good a hot shower (couldn’t get one in my hospital room for some reason), sleeping in your own bed and home cooking can do for your soul. I expected to be back to near normal when I came home but I find myself feeling tired most of the days and having aches and pains in my body. I also continue to have low grade fevers which the doctors are not fully able to explain. Although my recovery is slow I must add that my follow up appointments with my doctors have all gone well and it is early but, they are pleased with the way my post-transplant recovery is progressing.

At home my days are spent watching dvd’s as well as football and baseball games. I try to sit outside everyday so I don’t feel couped up in the house. Even though I am going through tough times right now, I know I have been given a second chance at life and this will all pass soon enough. Thank you all for your love and support.
-- Love Vinay

Click for details

Register to save a life; it takes only minutes, and should you match, donation is pretty easy and fast! Click here to find drives in your area.

We're in a race against time. Help us drive as many South Asian donor registrations as possible. Click here to learn how to organize drives, raise awareness, and more.

So there are two more *major* efforts coming up. Stay tuned to hear more about them:

• FREEDOM Drives: August 15, Independence Day, there are hundreds of celebrations planned across the United States. Set up a drive at your local celebration! visit "How to Organize a Drive" AND e-mail freedomdrivesvinay@gmail.com !!!
• UNIVERSITIES "Blow-it-up" Drive Month: August 20 -September 25 is when colleges around the country come into session. If you are a student, student leader or faculty at a university and want to take on this cause, e-mail universitydrivesvinay@gmail.com !!!"

Many of you heard about the Pianos event in New York last week. Hundreds of people came out to show support, musicians moved us to dance, and Vinay and Rashmi were moved to their cores by the love. It was a crazy success! Good drinks, tons of new committed bone marrow donors, and the incredible DJ Kunal M made for the perfect Sunday afternoon.

So: let’s do it AGAIN.

Sameer Bhatia’s wife Reena and Vinay’s wife Rashmi are both rolling up to NYC next Sunday to be at Pianos, register more South Asians, and feel the love and the music. Both of these amazing women are determined that their husbands are going to find that MATCH and beat this leukemia. Let’s join their fight!!

Come out to Pianos, Sunday July 22, from 4-8pm. Be ready to register!

Many of you were away last weekend - come out on Sunday. And for those of you who already came out, come back and bring your friends! Let’s show Vinay & Sameer we’re fighting for all those South Asians waiting for a match!!

MegaDrive Bay Area was a HUGE success last weekend! Thanks to hundreds of committed families and volunteers, nearly 3000 new registrants joined! The energy was pure love, support and a renewed sense of community: we ARE one family!! This unbelievable momentum is breeding results: Both Southern California and Massachusetts have MegaDrives planned in the upcoming weeks - for more information and to help join the cause, please visit our Upcoming Drives page to Help Vinay & Sameer!!