Aparna Parikh, Chief Scientist, Co-Founder, CEO at Reversing Early Recurrence, shared on LinkedIn:
“I have needed a few days to write this and just adds a little to the tremendous global outpouring of love for Rachna Shroff.
We met over a decade ago, when Rachna reached out on Facebook with a message full of exclamation points:
I feel like we need to meet!
She was right. She became quick friend, mentor, and ‘didi’ (hindi word for big sister) – someone I laughed with, learned from, and was always so happy to see. We shared a deep passion for our work, a deep love for our families, and the ongoing challenge of figuring out how to make it all work.
She made it seem so easy – with such positivity and light, always. Rachna also brought people together in the most beautiful way, making everyone feel welcomed, connected, and cared for. I’ll treasure our shared love of Bollywood, setting our Peloton zones during the pandemic, a healthy dose of oncology gossip, and lots of laughter.
Watching Rachna navigate her health journey was nothing short of remarkable. The courage, grace, and gratitude she carried inspired me in every way. I’ll also always remember her helping me prepare for my first ever American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) oral talk, the dancing, the Rachnina, Nina Shah parties, the on point food recommendations, her dismay in my lack of savviness for getting Delta status, pride in introducing us to prickly pear margaritas and so much more. I so wish we all had more time with her, especially for her wonderful family. She was SO proud of them.
On Sunday, the day she passed, I ran the Chicago Marathon – and carried both joy and heartbreak with me. That morning, I texted Rachna and her sweet husband to say I was running for her.
I knew she wouldn’t see it but I carried a little piece of her through every mile. I’m grateful I ran alongside one of my closest college friends, who gave me space for the tears, laughter, and everything in between. I had my team Shroff tank with me from our precious weekend together only 6 weeks ago with our GI oncology sisters and had my medal engraved in Rachna’s memory.
Sunday reminded me that grief and gratitude, heartbreak and joy, can exist together. I ran for you, Rach. I’ll carry your courage and light with me in this marathon of life – in how I show up for others, in the joy I make room for, and always over a prickly pear margarita.
Rest in eternal peace, sweet friend. I love you.”
You can also read:
Remembering Rachna Shroff: The Sunshine She Leaves Behind
