Chaitanya (Chaitu) was a God's gift to us and he was always been a very special kid. It was difficult to watch losing Chaitu at a very young age of 15 with an incurable disease of Melanoma (Metastatic) spreading the Brain and Spine. He was incredibly full of life and defiant against his cancer, took every chance to fight against it despite of deteriorating odds and intense personal suffering.  

Chaitu had several ups and downs in his life due to his medical condition. He was born with giant pigmented nevus (birth mole) covering most of his body with Congenital Talipus (clubbed foot). He was very cute and was liked by everyone in the family. Chaitu had his first surgery to his clubbed foot at the age of 3 months and had many more until before he died. He was very active and has positive attitude since his early days. When he was 5 1/2 years and  a cancer tumor developed on his left ankle (Rhabdomyo Sarcoma). He got an excellent treatment at UCSF, San Francisco. He was treated with Chemotherapy and Radiation for about 9 months and got complete cure for the cancer. He had been visiting UCSF for the Follow-up checkup at least once a year and never had any traces of recurrence of tumor for about 10 yrs and finally he was diagnosed with Melanoma. 

 During his stay at UCSF for his melanoma treatment, Chaitu has taught us how to live, how to laugh, and most importantly, how to love. Chaitu's innocence, grace, humor, and compassion for others have changed all who knew him. In the midst of his own pain and suffering, he had his finest hour, rising up to make this world a better place.

Chaitu had enjoyed playing with video games and he had all the consoles like Play station, PSP, WII, XBOX etc., He had mastered playing these games and his friends used to get surprised with his skills. Chaitu always talks about doing the Robotics (Artificial Intelligence) in the college. He also had a passion in music (Electric Guitar) and his favorite band was Metallica.   

In memory of our beloved child "Chaitu", we have started a charity organization, "The Chaitanya Gompa Charity, Inc" - A 100% nonprofit organization. This is to carry out few activities that we think not only will help us see our son in whatever we do, but more so to serve the community in memory of what our child ideally would have loved to accomplish in his life. We consider this as a great opportunity and responsibility that he has left on us to carry his dreams forward.      

At a high level, Chaitanya Gompa Charity, Inc that plans to assist economically underprivileged children to help themselves complete their education and to achieve economic self-sufficiency through empowerment skills, child development services, health care and support services. The Chaitanya Gompa Charity, Inc plans to develop a positive self-esteem and provides assistance to build values in life to be successful in life."    

With this in mind we are pleased to announce the formation of "Chaitanya Gompa Charity, Inc" – A 100% nonprofit organization committed to serving the following:  

- Create a annual memorial Award/Scholarship Award for children excelling in the subjects of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

- Create a memorial fund to support people suffering with cancer and especially with melanoma

- Plan and sponsor various events including organizing competitions to present Laptops, Guitars and for serving Food to needy etc   

However, it is very difficult for organization like Chaitanya Gompa Charity, Inc to meet those needs without help from friends like you. We don't want you to be obligated for anything as we believe that it would defeat the very purpose of we starting a charity organization in memory of our son Chaitanya.  However,  If you believe in the principles of what we are planning to do in memory of our son and are inspired by what we plan to do for the society, we welcome any of your contributions i.e.,  volunteer to organize events, conduct competitions, contributions in kind or money etc.     

We wish this organization would help at least few children who are in need and will serve many more in the future....