Madhu’s parents (Amita and Rajinder Sarwal) came to America (NY) in 1981 from India seeking to provide their children with better opportunities in life especially education. Their dreams came true when Madhu became a physician (Board Certified in Internal Medicine) in 1997. Working in the VA system for years, Madhu took the time to listen to her patients and provide them with the best medical care possible. A life changing event occurred in 2001 when her mother was the first in the family to be diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder - familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). In that same year, Madhu was also diagnosed with this very rare and challenging genetic disease. In 2005, through her love and persistence, Madhu was able to save the life of her younger brother with FAP. She guided his treatment since hospice was eventually recommended by those who were treating him at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Through very difficult times, her mother passed away in 2008 followed by her father in 2011. Both of her parents were loved so much.

After multiple major surgeries and chemotherapy at various places, Madhu returned to NY and started to be seen at MSK in 2014. We met in NY towards the end of 2014 after she had stopped taking chemotherapy since her desmoid tumors were stable. To this day, I continue to travel with her to NY for every appointment - seeing Madhu discuss her difficult, daily struggles with her Oncologist Dr. Keohan. At times, they both would have tears in their eyes followed by smiles and happiness. I will always remember Dr. Keohan saying that if you were to see Madhu come through that door, you would never know how ill that she was and what she has been through for so many years - since her truly special smile would brighten the whole room.

This year (2023) has been quite challenging.The most recent decision was made by Madhu and I along with Dr. Nishimura as we try to work together for the best treatment of her disease. All three of us felt that the time was right to proceed forward in regards to a complex procedure. Eventually a specific adenoma would pose major issues and had to be addressed soon. Before being taken back to begin anesthesia, Dr. Nishimura told us both that he would do his best for us. We knew that he was one of the few that had the expertise to perform this highly skilled endoscopic procedure which has major risks. We are truly grateful to Dr. Nishimura, Dr. Keohan, and everyone involved in Madhu’s care at MSK. As this disease poses continuous daily challenges both physically and mentally, there are no easy answers. Even with the hundreds of polyps/adenomas that could change at any time which requires annual surveillance along with her desmoid tumors and adhesions from major surgeries, Madhu works tirelessly each and every day to the best of her ability to give back and help others in need - touching the hearts of so many lives and making a difference in this world no matter how small it may seem. She is a true inspiration.

We are truly appreciative of everyone at MSK since it takes so many diverse people working together on a daily basis to provide the best care possible for over 400 types of cancer - a glimmer of hope, comfort and happiness together with our family at MSK along with the surrounding community who are also a special part of our family in NY that have supported us in so many ways. 

We are raising money to support cancer research and care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). 

With expertise in over 400 cancer types and nearly 2,000 clinical trials underway at a given time, MSK is making a massive difference in the lives of people everywhere with cancer. MSK physician-scientists are committed to discovering new ways to prevent, detect, treat, and cure all forms of the disease.

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When you give to MSK, you become part of a community that is working to develop new ways to prevent, treat, and cure cancer, from the most common to the rarest. Whether donors give to honor a friend or family member, to fuel the next breakthrough, or to make the world a better place, everyone in our community is bound together by hope, optimism, and an unrelenting drive toward impact.

Your philanthropy accelerates innovation, allowing MSK physician-scientists to pursue bold ideas and tackle the biggest challenges in cancer research and care. This work ultimately leads to discoveries — including new cancer drugs and other treatments — that improve the lives of people with cancer at MSK and around the world.