Rahul Yadav, the warrior
A 28-year-old Rahul, was about to embark on a new journey in a new home, a new job in Societe Generale in Bangalore after a stint at HCL, with his wife stepping into new married life. That is when on the 23rd of August in 2013 he fell ill. What started off as a minor cough and cold was misdiagnosed and treated for dengue fever. Rahul was later told he was suffering from Multiple Myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer. Rahul had his wife and family supporting him when the news hit the family. It was difficult to make sense of what was happening.
“It was all so sudden. I didn’t smoke, drank occasionally and had rare cancer at this age”, says Rahul. He had to move back to Delhi.
The strength behind the warrior.
Although his family was very supportive but it was very difficult for them to feel what Rahul was going through. Rahul wasn’t the one to sit and let an ailment dictate terms on how he should live. He started a community-based group, Yoddhas. A platform for people fighting cancer, a place where they can find the support which Rahul lacked during his own recovery. Rahul during his last cancer underwent 15 cycles of chemotherapy, surgeries including gall bladder removal and a “Bone Marrow Transplant”.
“Yoddhas – warriors, that is how I perceive myself and all those fighting cancer”, says Rahul.
A support group based startup initiated by Rahul in 2014 to empower the community and help people come together. Yoddhas website clocks over 24 thousand monthly views. It helps the community at large connect with each other, share each other’s experiences, their learnings and also help people connect with the audience in case someone isn’t able to afford, the community can help find an alternative solution.
A support group based startup initiated by Rahul in 2014 to empower the community and help people come together. Yoddhas website clocks over 24 thousand monthly views. It helps the community at large connect with each other, share each other’s experiences, their learnings and also help people connect with the audience in case someone isn’t able to afford, the community can help find an alternative solution.
Yoddhas has received acclaim from UNESCO, received the 2nd Prize in 800 social start-ups and the ‘Most popular choice award’, where Rahul and his wife went to Berlin to receive the award.
The Warrior is fighting again
With great regret, Rahul is back in hospital fighting relapsed Plasma cell Leukemia(Cancer).
“We have been in the hospital for almost 2 weeks now in isolation BMT ward. His blood platelets are still very low because of which he has become very weak”, says Rashi, Rahul’s wife.
They are limited with our chemotherapy options and now are exploring foreign drugs. The estimated cost for these imported drugs is approximately 18-20 lac per cycle, and multiple cycles are required for Rahul to get well.
We love and believe in the mission that Rahul has started and we are determined to support him when he needs. If you’d like to help him, please visit here.
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