Dear Devotees,

All Glories to Sri Guru Gauranga all glories to Sri Radhavinoda Bihariji. This message is to inform you of the progress of our dear god brother and friend Gaurasundar Prabhu. For those who don’t know Gaura, he is now twenty- five years old, and at the age of fifteen he left everything and dedicated his life to Srila Gurudeva. From 1997 Gaura lived as a brahmacari in Keshavji Gaudiya Matha learning and becoming very qualified in singing, mrdanga, Hindi and other vaisnava arts and seva. Seeing his qualification, Srila Gurudeva sent him around the world to preach under the guidance of senior sanyasis. During this time he touched the hearts of so many through his wonderful character, kirtans, preaching and dedication to Guru Gauranga. Srila Gurdeva said “He is a general in Lord Caitanya’s army.” In July 2004 Gaura was attending parikrama in Jagannatha Puri, and while bathing in the ocean broke his neck and became paralyzed from the shoulders down. Since then, by the help of devotees and well- wishers he has undergone surgery, physical therapy and other medical procedures. He was finally able to return to Hawaii from India and is now under the care of his mother and loving family who are with him day and night. Partial mobility has returned to Gaura’s arms and he is now even able to swallow and eat. We are hopeful for the future if he can get the right treatment.

Gaurasundara Prabhu continues to show idealistic character. His singing is a bit quieter and his preaching more localized but he continues to be a source of inspiration to his family and the flow of guests who file through his room. But now, two years since that tragic accident, recovery has seem to come to a stand still. He has been courageously dealing with this, yet after each week and month passes with little or no improvement Gaura, his family and friends are looking to other options. After researching varities of medicine and treatment and consulting medical professionals, one option stands out above the rest. The last few years have brought unexpected breakthroughs in the treatment of spinal injuries, and stem cell procedures now treat injuries like Gaura’s with amazing success. People who have been told they would never stand again are walking. Gaura and his family cautiously celebrate the very real potential finally available to them.

The Stem Cell Process

Stem cells are basic cells found in all humans. They have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types within the body. Serving as a repair system for the body, they can divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell. Thus through stem cell treatment/surgery any damaged organ or tissue can potentially be repaired.

After thorough research, consultation with medical experts and interviewing doctors and hospitals around the world, a specialist in China has been selected for Gaura’s treatment. Dr. Yang Bo and the Beiki group specialize in umbilical cord stem cell procedures, meaning use of stem cells which are extracted from a severed umbilical cord of a baby after birth. Their hospital has all modern facilities and the medical teams have the highest professional credentials. For more information please see web site www.stemcellschina.com or www.beikebiotech.com. Gaura is assured a slot for this treatment as soon as the trip can be arranged. Our dear god brother may have a chance to walk, dance, play his mrdanga and whole heartedly serve his beloved Srila Gurudeva with body, mind and soul once again.

After hearing about these plans Srila Gurudeva gave his full support and asked for this message to be given to all his followers: “Gaurasundara was such a qualified devotee, helping me so much in my mission, giving everything to me. It is my strong desire that again he should be with me preaching here and there and doing kirtan and inspiring all. I am requesting all, through any contribution to please make this possible and help my dear son Gaurasundar.”

Please Help!

The price of surgery and treatments as well as travel expenses for Gaura and two of his family members to assist him will be at least $40,000 US. Gaura’s mother Mangala Didi, a single mother with six children, living on a low fixed income, is ready to sell her family’s home (their only asset) for these desperately needed funds. But we are hoping this will not be necessary.

We are reaching out to the world-wide devotee community, especially to those whom Gaurasundara gave so much of his own time and energy. Please support Gaura and his family now in this moment of need. Mail your tax- deductible donation to Srila Gurudeva’s “Bhakti Projects” (address below). The doctors in China are prepared to take Gaura now even though the waiting period is usually one year or longer. So the sooner we collect the funds the better. We are glad to send you an account of all fundraising and progress reports upon request. Gaurasundara, his family and those involved are very grateful to all who can provide support, if not with money then with their prayers. If you would like to know more please contact Sravan Kumar Dasa (sravan16@yahoo.com) or Mangala Didi (mangalamata@yahoo.com).

MAILING INFORMATION

MAIL DIRECTLY your tax-deductible donations to
Bhakti Projects, Inc.
4589 Pacheco Blvd
Martinez, CA 94553
USA
Make checks payable to: Bhakti Projects. Please write in the memo: Gaurasundar Prabhu

PAYPAL TRANSFER

SEND TO-PAYPAL ACCOUNT NAME: “accounts@bhaktipojects.org”

In the message body (memo) please write = Gaurasundar P. Medical

(Donations can also be made at bhaktiprojects.org)

WIRE TRANSFER

Bank Name: Wells Fargo Bank

Swift Code: WFBIUS6S

Wire routing: ABA 121000248

Bhakti Projects Savings account # - 7824 384 353

Once transfer is completed please email or call; accounts@bhaktiprojects.org or 925-335-2300 ext.108 to provide transfer information and confirmation.

(Bhakti Projects will confirm all contributions with receipt within three weeks.)