4th year pharmacy student Sara Khatib participated with TedxLAU to share her story about her life and battling cancer. She talked about the four important lessons she had learned that helped her deal with her illness, and get through it day by day. Lesson number 1- Sometimes,giving up is the way to survive. 2- Do not let your obstacles define you. 3- pain is inevitable, suffering is optional, 4:Do not postpone your dream. She chose to live the rest of her life as "Sara Khatib, the 4th year pharmacy student, not Sara Khatib the cancer patient."
Sadly, Sara Khatib passed away two weeks after bravely sharing her story on stage, and inspiring everyone around her.
Rest in piece beautiful soul..
A tribute was made in Sara's honour on Tedxlau.com that said:
I woke up this morning to the news that the one speaker who touched us all on August 23... passed away.
There is no easy way to break news like this. A beautiful girl in her 20s - vibrant, energetic, intelligent, and just beautiful through and through - died. Died, yet the last FB comment she wrote is still on my newsfeed! Died yet I can still see her name on my whatsapp list! Died yet her words still resonate within me as they did the first time I heard her audition.
For some reason, I can't cry. Actually, I won't cry. Because she told us not to! I won't cry though my soul is tearing on the insides at the loss of such a beautiful mind.
I'm just thankful that we got to meet Sara in this lifetime. We, the people who got to sit with her, laugh with her, and even work with her are so lucky! And we knew this as we were living the moment - that's what makes it so incredible! Usually, people pass through our lives and we aren't fully aware of the full force of that collision, but not with Sara. With Sara, we were all aware. We all knew. and We all wanted more!
We - the TEDxLAU team - are proud to have been on your bucket list! Are proud to have been a part of your impressive journey. And we promise you the following:
1. That we share your story and your video with everyone and as soon as we can!
2. That we help your legacy to live on in the support group you wished to create!
At this point, plans and little details escape me. All I can see is your beautiful face. Your lovely smile. Your sweet, thin, body that I'd hug as if afraid of letting go.
On August 23, you spoke of 4 different lessons, and this one resonated with us all: Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.
You are no longer in pain, no longer taking the multitude of drugs that you needed to stay up on your feet, but our suffering is optional. We can take your presence in our lives as the gift that it truly is, embrace it and learn something from it. We can take your legacy forward. We can make sure your voice is heard beyond the confines of our own campus. We can stand by your incredible family as they celebrate your life and grieve over your loss.
Sara Khatib - we love you.
