Surrey, BC—Professor Avtar Singh-Virdi, a tireless social worker and noble human being, passed away today at Surrey Memorial Hospital. He was 58 years old. Prof. Virdi was the Director of GTP Marvelous College in Surrey, British Columbia. A cancer survivor, he fought his battle with the disease with immense courage and strength, inspiring everyone around him.
In his mission to raise money and awareness for the B.C. Cancer Foundation, Prof. Virdi followed in the footsteps of Terry Fox, becoming a beacon of hope for many.
In his final days, Prof. Virdi shared his experience from the hospital. “I recovered from a second attack of jaundice in February 2024. My health issues were not over yet. I developed a back problem in June 2024, and my backbone surgery was done on July 16, 2024. I went home after surgery on Monday, July 22, 2024, but I am back in emergency for overactive neuro system causing me anxiety and acute pains,” Prof. Virdi wrote in a WhatsApp message.
He added, “Friends, we moved to Canada for the best things in the world. Our fight for a better health system is of gigantic dimensions. Think about yourself and your children. Do we deserve this kind of excessively delayed medical tests and treatments?”
Prof. Virdi was also well known for his TV show and English language classes, leaving a lasting impact on his community. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him.
John Slimman says
Powerful statement about the delay in medical care. RIP Prof