Vinitha Gengatharan

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

If anyone in this network can assist, please do.

[Matt Gurney @mattgurney]

Hey guys. This is going to be the most personal update I’ve ever shared publicly.

I live in public view — my work does, anyway. I’ve never been shy about sharing my ideas or passions. But I’ve always worked very hard to keep my family out of view. That’s partly for their safety. But also because, despite appearances, I am an intensely private person. The public part of my job is exhausting and often a little frightening.

I’m now facing something far more frightening. And I may need your help.

Last fall, my wife became very ill. A series of medical tests ruled out the non-scary explanations. Just before Christmas, we were told it was metastatic cancer. She has since undergone urgent surgeries, including successful removal of the primary tumour. She is young, strong, and otherwise healthy, and her recovery so far has been remarkable.

Now we are entering a long, grinding phase of this fight — chemotherapy and we hope other treatments — with the goal of getting ahead of this nightmare.

We have cause for optimism. The metastasis is real and terrifying, but limited and small. We didn’t catch this “early,” but we may have caught it early by the standards of such things. We have a real shot, and we are determined to fight as hard as we possibly can.

Many of you noticed I went completely to ground. This is why. If you are the praying type, we would appreciate your prayers. For those who may be able to offer medical help and options, please reach out — I’m easy to find. I’m assembling an army for her. This is the most important thing I’ve ever done, and I can’t imagine a better use of my energy or my skills.

As we settle into a new rhythm, I’m beginning a gradual return to work. Don’t be surprised if you see more thoughts from me about the health-care system. I’ve been amazed and humbled by some of the care we’ve received. I’ve also been shocked and frightened by other parts of the experience. I’ll have more to say about that later.

But now I want to talk about my wife.

We met when we were 17. We had math class together. I changed my seat so I could look at her. She was stunning. I can still see her in my mind’s eye exactly as she was then. To me, she is as beautiful today as she was at 17. I did, and still do, feel like I’ve been winded when I just look at her.

We weren’t high-school sweethearts. Our journey was longer. We didn’t become an official couple until late in university, after a long period of circling each other — trying to understand what to do with a deep friendship that was evolving into something much scarier and more consequential.

We made the jump. Not without false starts. Not without fear. But we made it. And my life has been amazing since. Because of her.

She is all I have ever wanted.

She isn’t perfect. She isn’t easy. Neither am I. We’ve had good times and bad. But she is the absolute foundation of my world. My entire sense of self is wrapped up in her. I don’t know where I end and she begins.

Nearly 20 years after we stood in a park and agreed to be together, I am as hopelessly in love with her as I was then. It is a crippling love — more than I contain. I can barely think about it. It just feels like too much when I try.

She and our two children are my everything. And I am going to fight for her and for this family with absolutely everything I have. I will never surrender. I can’t. There is no me without her.

So that’s the story. Please be patient with me. Please be kind. Pray for us if you can. And help us if you have the power.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

The last little while, I have been holding onto the following from George Orwell: “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it” and “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

@JosephWongUT And leaving Canada in a very difficult position. It is heartbreaking to watch the demise and humiliation of America in front of our very own eyes.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

Rest in peace. Thank you for your service to Canada. As a proud graduate of Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute, your legacy as the first Canadian astronaut in space will live on with many generations to come.

[CTV - Ian White @CTVIanWhite]

BREAKING: Canada's first astronaut, Marc Garneau, has died at the age of 76. In a statement, his wife Pam said "He passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family". Garneau was elected to Parliament in 2008 and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Transport.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

The war for talent is heating up. HKUST has said it would welcome international students from Harvard after the US government moved to halt foreign enrolment at the oldest American university.

Source: Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
https://t.co/KTNW55bM4J

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

Veritas!

[Carole MacNeil @carolemacneil]

I get why Opposition Leader @PierrePoilievre wants @MarkJCarney to reveal his holdings publicly now. The request itself is enough to potentially do damage by making people suspicious, which fits with their "sneaky" narrative. The media argues that the more the public knows about a PM's holdings the better. It also gives them something to challenge him on, to look fair. However, there are strict rules and constant monitoring around the Prime Minister's holdings while they are in power. In this case, @CanadianPM has said he divulged his holdings to the ethics commissioner ahead of schedule and put them in a blind trust, which means this is now in the hands of @EthicsCanada , which, in turn, means Konrad Von Finckenstein will soon make a determination if everything is lawful and will put out a public summary of #PMCarney's holdings. It's not like he can hide it.#cdnpolitics #Carney #LPC #CPC

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

The world benefits from and needs America. A successful, productive and economically viable, democratic and rule of law based America is in all of our interests. As is a sovereign Canada. Extraordinary care must be taken as it is in Canada’s interest to do so.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

@MikePMoffatt @MarcMillerVM We may not agree with his approach, but he tried to address the necessary issues.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

Canada needs to focus on becoming a strong and independent economy that is attractive to the world. Rethink the subsidy models that got us here.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

The chest thumping and booing of the national anthem is no way to win the hearts and minds of one of the most patriotic and increasingly nationalistic people and country in the world.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

@JustinTrudeau We needed this 10 years ago and glad to see it finally moving. Given the number of countries and companies with experience and trains, why are we spending nearly 4 billion on design and feasibility and why is that going to take 5 years? An honest question.

[Sen. Susan Collins @SenatorCollins]

The Maine economy is integrated with Canada, our most important trading partner. Certain tariffs will impose a significant burden on many families, manufacturers, the forest products industry, small businesses, lobstermen, and agricultural producers.

For example, 95 percent of the heating oil used by most Mainers to heat their homes comes from refineries in Canada. The Air National Guard Base in Bangor depends completely on jet fuel and diesel from Canada. From fisheries to potato farmers to paper mills, these tariffs will have a significant impact on Maine’s economy and risk increasing costs for our residents.

I am working with the Trump Administration to help its officials better understand the potential ramifications of certain tariffs on Maine and to find out more about their implementation, scope, duration, and other important information, including any exemptions they may make for northern border states, certain industries, agricultural producers, and others who rely on trade with Canada.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

@SeanFraserMP Fully agree. I hope you’ll consider a return when the time is right.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

@gmacofglebe He has a great future ahead of him but had hoped he would consider staying as he is one of the best we have.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

@dzevela @NSERC_CRSNG @UofT_dlsph My heartfelt congratulations!!! A wonderful achievement and recognition.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

@mikalskuterud I highly recommend a review if you’d like to learn more about the scope of this issue of destination campuses in GTHA and PPPs and look into why there is a need for 528 DLIs in Ontario alone?

https://t.co/1gy5QZEuuM

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

Throw out the old / any playbook and buckle up for version 2.0. We def. do not have a manual for what’s to come.#ElectionDay

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

Innovation in the #pse sector involves bundling and unbundling of organizational structures.

[Vinitha Gengatharan @vinithag_]

According to Ontario government figures, there were 3,833 students enrolled in medical schools in 2023-24, with only 10 international students. There were 473 out-of-province students, making up about 12 per cent of enrolment.