Dedicated doctor’s legacy persists in cancer Fight

Story original published the Augusta Chronicle | October 1, 2020 | Hap Harris

Augusta lost a real treasure this past month — Dr. Bipin Chudgar died.

Perhaps some of you may not have heard of Dr. Chudgar. However, being a well-respected obstetrician/gynecologist, many women in the area knew him. Sadly, he suffered a head injury, the results of a fall at home, and never recovered.

Dr. Chudgar’s generosity and love for others were renowned. He supported many really good causes in Augusta; however, his true love was supporting the Lydia Project, a local nonprofit that provides services and support to people with cancer. The day before his injury, Dr. Chudgar was at Lydia, donating supplies, and talking about “meeting soon” to further Lydia’s mission. He was excited about Lydia’s future.

Dr. Chudgar has influenced thousands of patients through his tireless service and expertise in obstetrics and gynecology. What is not as well known, but should become a celebrated legacy, is his profound impact upon thousands of cancer fighters through the establishment of an incredible facility built to honor and memorialize his beloved wife of 31 years. His is a love story, first for his beloved Dr. Daksha Chudgar, who was also a passionate supporter and then served by the Lydia Project, and second for Lydia by giving a $500,000 gift that seeded the Daksha Chudgar Lydia House. He was so very proud of how Lydia had grown, and the 9,000-plus-square-foot building he seeded was mortgage-free in less than seven years.

When the Lydia Project began its popular Ribbons of Hope support group on the second Saturday of each month five years ago, Dr. Chudgar attended all of them unless he was either sick or out of town. His commitment was to stand with and for cancer fighters, both in word and through deed. He was most proud of the fact that Lydia never closed during the pandemic. As he checked in weekly, he was pleased Lydia was continuing to provide services to so many cancer fighters.

Lydia assists local men and women fighting cancer by stopping evictions and utility shutoffs; buying needed medicines and medical supplies; and providing ongoing moral support. Lydia provides cancer fighters transportation from the Lydia House or their own houses to cancer treatments — yep, at no charge. By the way, since January, Lydia has provided 863 transport trips for cancer fighters to receive treatment: a 63% increase from this time a year ago.

Since the House opened, Lydia has provided 8,461 “lodging nights” at no charge. These represent cancer fighters from all over Georgia, South Carolina and as far away as Mississippi. Augusta and Aiken have wonderful cancer-fighting physicians. Coming to the doctors is not financially easy for patients. Having a safe place to stay — at no charge — makes cancer treatment possible.

Dr. Chudgar worked hard helping the Lydia Project in its efforts to provide a full-service facility for men fighting cancer. It was Dr. Chudgar’s vision to have a building similar to the Daksha Chudgar Lydia House, but for men. The agency began providing full services to men fighting cancer, and now male oncology patients can receive lodging, transport to cancer care and other financial support that Lydia has delivered to so many cancer fighters over the years. A facility for men, similar to the Daksha Chudgar Lydia House, will greatly enhance Lydia’s efforts.

His love for Lydia and his commitment to helping those who are fighting for their lives in battling cancer was contagious. When confronted with what appeared to be any unattainable goal, Dr. Chudgar was known for his saying: “Cancer is the scourge of the planet — there is no one who has not been affected by it. We will find the answer to this problem.”

Especially now, during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, his words still ring true today.

If cancer has touched your life, via a loved one, a friend or yourself, I ask you to please take a moment and visit Lydia’s website, thelydiaproject.org, and ask yourself: How can I help? You might find you have the time to volunteer. You might find it in your heart to make a donation in a loved one’s name.

His was a love story of a man who lost his wife to cancer and decided to build a facility that would help cancer fighters and by devoting his time to personally be involved on the front lines. His call to action — “encourage others to serve, support and donate in a loved one’s memory” — continues to drive Lydia’s supporters.

Thank you, Bipin, for being you — your love for your beloved Daksha and others, your willingness to serve and to give back to help those less fortunate will be remembered. All who knew you will miss you. Your legacy will continue to help those who have no idea it was you who made their battle against cancer less of a struggle.

This piece was originally published in The Augusta Chronicle on October 1, 2020, written by Hap Harris. The writer is a licensed retired insurance agent and serves on the board for Cancer Support Services. He lives in Augusta.