Dhruv Jadhav battles cancer, gets 82%, but expected more

MUMBAI: Even though he was diagnosed with cancer a year prior to his ICSE board exams, Dhruv Jadhav from St Mary’s School, Mazagaon, scored 82% and has made his family and school proud.
Dhruv was diagnosed with leukemia (cancer of blood or bone marrow) in 2009, when he was in his 9th grade. His family took him to Israel for treatment as therapy was difficult in India.
That year, Dhruv had a bone marrow transplant but he stayed on for further treatment. He returned to India only last June. “He could not appear for his 9th grade final exams but was keen to join back his old school, St Mary’s,” said his mother, Dr Archana Jadhav.
Dhruv had missed out on nearly a year of studies but with assistance from the school, he prepared himself for his ICSE board exams in March 2011. In the course of the year, Dhruv was admitted to hospital due to poor health and hepatitis. Despite this, he scored 74% in his prelims and a commendable 82% in his finals.
“My son has made me very happy. The school principal and faculty have really supported my son and I thank them for his success,” said his mother, Archana.
Dhruv is on the path to recovery now but he was not happy with his marks though. “I wanted more, I wanted to score in my 90s but nevertheless, I feel great,” exclaimed Dhruv. He gives credit to his teachers but above all his batch mates, who were very cooperative and helped with their notes. He also had a home tutor who proved to be of great help. Dhruv is undecided about his future. “I may do Arts or Science, I don’t know yet,” he said.
Dhruv is a classic example of ‘never say die’. “Always have faith in yourself and never lose hope,” Dhruv said, in an inspirational message to all with a similar condition.