Rachna Prasad is a recent graduate from UCLA and will be spending her gap years before medical school at the DMG Research Center in Zurich, Switzerland. She loves traveling, spending time with her family, friends, and two dogs. Rachna also love watching sunsets every evening.
Rachna is the sister of a DIPG warrior. Her younger brother, Mithil, was her best friend and he made her laugh till her stomach hurt, made her smile even when she was crying, and inspired her to be better in every way. On August 1st, 2015 Mithil was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) a rare pediatric brain tumor with no cure. Even after his diagnosis he radiated the same joy, love, and all around “live life to the fullest” attitude he did before. He fought a fierce battle against this disease until he became an angel on November 27th, 2016. Rachna holds not only his story, but his spirit with her through everything she does. He is her motivation, her love, her joy. Mithil Prasad taught Rachna to live life blissfully and it is something she will do now and forever.
Since her brother’s passing, Rachna has had an interest in DIPG advocacy and raising awareness for children who have a sibling affected by a brain tumor. To this end, she started the Mithil Prasad Foundation with her parents in honor of her brother and has been working with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to create a sibling mentorship program.
“Even though life threw me a curveball when I was 17, I have been able to persevere with the help of my family and friends. I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me through each phase of this journey, whether it be my brother’s fight, his death, processing my own grief, or my uphill battle to turn this tragedy into something meaningful. Thank you to everyone who inspires me to be better. I am ever grateful for your presence in my life and most of all, I am so grateful for you, Mithi.” - Rachna Prasad
“Live Life Blissfully”