RJ3 Bursary: Tuition Help for Student Athletes

THE RJ3 BURSARY AT YORK UNIVERSITY

Rav Johal was a strong man who used his healthy vision of the world to improve the lives of everyone around him. He was an elite athlete, instantly the best player of any sport he played, and his silky-smooth jump shot was feared by anyone granted the daunting task of guarding him. As a personal trainer who studied at York University, Rav spent countless hours educating those around him about the benefits of fitness and nutrition, knowing that health and happiness go hand-in-hand. With his contagious smile and sense of humour, Rav was a connector that people were naturally drawn to. His light-hearted and logical demeanor made him a source of stability; he was a rock to anyone who needed it. Rav was also an amazing friend, and along with the rest of our amazing support system, we have embraced the life-long goal of promoting the values he held dear to as many people as possible, just like he did.

In March of 2011, Rav was diagnosed with stage-four Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and battled through chemotherapy for several months until he was found by doctors to be in remission in October of that same year. Unfortunately, soon the cancer had reappeared, aggressively spreading to his lungs and other vital organs. After many more months of debilitating treatments, including clinical trials and experimental medication, the efforts to destroy the invader proved futile. Rav Johal tragically passed away on November 19th, 2012 at the young age of 30 years old after his two-year battle with cancer, and we miss him dearly.

Since Rav’s diagnosis, our tight-knit group of childhood friends has come even closer together, realizing how precious life can be. Rav’s story is one that affects far too many people each year. In his amazing memory, we have decided to honor him with donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as well as to the RJ3 bursary at York University, representing the values that meant so much to him. The requirements for this bursary are as follows:

– Must maintain a minimum average of 80%

– Record of extracurricular involvement in health and fitness

– Must qualify for financial aid

– Must be involved with an OUA varsity sports team

Donating to the RJ3 Bursary at York University is an investment in the futures of young athletes who wish to educate themselves but may not have the financial means to do so. Through this bursary, as well as the events and ventures we are organizing to fund it, we hope to positively affect the health, happiness and productivity of as many people as possible. We hope to expand awareness, help students in need, and do what Rav loved most…

Have fun!

*********************

Letter from York University:

Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. Thanks to the RJ3 Bursary, our stu-

dents have access to the funding needed to pursue their academic careers.

I hear so often from our students how grateful they are to receive donor-funded awards. It is my privilege to relay this message and tell you what a difference you’ve made in the York University community. Without this support, some of our students wouldn’t be able to continue and thrive at York during their academic studies as many face financial hardships and other difficulties. Gifts like this enrich our students’ lives and provide immediate relief. Together, we are removing barriers and helping our students in every way possible.

Your award has supported:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYPCsexvqHw

You helped relieve financial burdens for these students during their post-secondary

career. They will never forget this generous support. We are so grateful to have partners like you in our community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Brownhill

Principal Giving, Donor Relations & Stewardship | Division of Advancement