Ujwal Poudel
Ujwal Poudel: a man who’s tragic illness has brought us all together today as ‘SIMPLY HUMAN – Superheroes Without Capes’.
Coming to Australian shores as an international student from Nepal, Ujwal enrolled into a Bachelor in Professional Accounting in 2014 after completing his higher level education at home.
Ujwal’s family in Nepal are, as he describes working class, but well educated, with his father a teacher while his mother is a social worker. Ujwal has a younger sister and brother, with himself being the eldest child – something which is a position of great responsibility in sub-continent culture.
Enrolling into Griffith University he adapted well and began to overcome the initial home sickness as he settled into the Australian way of life. In 2015, however, he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
Never one to shy away from a challenge he retained a positive outlook and despite several setbacks he pushed himself to the absolute limit. To take an English phrase and with full respect given he was literally at death’s door but he would not quit!
The stresses on his body through both the physical and mental pain were unbearable but he somehow managed to cling onto life by his very last fingernail.
Through the search for a bone marrow donor, to the heartbreaking moments with close family and friends, to everything he had to endure and experience he beat cancer! A statement not many people can say and one he is so very, very proud to make.
The tragic circumstance of the situation triggered a chain of events that nobody could have ever foreseen. A network of humanitarian volunteers bandied together to raise funds, organise charity events, search for donors, support Ujwal and his family, which ultimately led to $88,000 being raised via the ‘Help Ujwal Campaign’.
There is, of course, more, because we are here today as SIMPLY HUMAN Inc.– Superheroes Without Capes to help raise awareness about this most terrible of illnesses and help others who are in the same position as Ujwal was.
Strength, determination, willpower, drive and dedication are just some of the words we can use to describe this young man but they do not really explain or do justice to what he faced.
Through the darkest of days he kept himself mentally strong remaining focussed and determined to kick cancer’s butt – and he did! With the love and kindness of those around him he is with us today as a true inspiration.
We are happy to say that following a bone marrow transplant Ujwal is now cancer free and living a happy, healthy and normal life. He shines today as a beacon for others to follow and in writing this I feel we cannot describe his courage and strength enough to you.
In his words, he believes in those of Paul Coelho who said that when you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire in helping you achieve it.
A blessing and inspiration we are happy in so many ways to have Ujwal Poudel alongside us in ‘SIMPLY HUMAN – Superheroes Without Capes’.