Dinesh Gadraj, a 20-year-old former student of Shiva Boys Hindu College, has died in India after a lengthy battle with high-risk B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. His death came five months after he travelled from Trinidad and Tobago to seek specialised treatment for the relapsed cancer, which had become resistant to standard therapies. Gadraj travelled to Apollo Hospital in India in March with his mother, Linda, and brother, Damian. After arriving, he underwent further assessments as specialists explored treatment options that could give him another chance at recovery.
Doctors recommended CAR T-cell therapy, an advanced immunotherapy used to treat certain types of relapsed blood cancers. The treatment successfully helped Gadraj achieve remission, allowing doctors to proceed with a bone marrow transplant. Despite the efforts of his medical team and his family’s hopes for recovery, he ultimately did not survive. His mother said her son’s death still felt unreal, explaining that she had truly believed he would recover.
“I really thought he would have recovered,” Linda said, describing the loss as feeling like a dream. The family had received significant support during Dinesh’s medical journey. Members of the public rallied behind them, helping raise funds to cover the substantial costs associated with overseas treatment.
The Ministry of Health also contributed $100,000 toward his care, while an online fundraising campaign raised more than US$3,400. The assistance provided much-needed support as the family pursued specialised treatment abroad. Although devastated by her son’s death, Linda expressed gratitude to everyone who supported Dinesh throughout his illness. His determination and the efforts made to help him reflected the strength of his family and community. The family is now preparing for funeral arrangements while grieving the loss of a young life filled with hope and potential.
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