JAS BHATTI was born in Punjab, India, the son of Tarsem and Abnash Bhatti. He had two brothers and two sisters, Sarbjit (Sarge), Kal (Mintu), Parmjit (Pummy) and Teranjit (Pinky). At the age of six Jas moved to Vancouver, BC. He attended Franklin Elementary and graduated from Templeton High School. In 2000 he married Minaz and they were married for fifteen happy years. They had two children, Jasmin Zahra Bhatti and Inaaya Sarina Bhatti.
“DON’T STOP BELIEVING” – That was the title of Jas’s favourite song. Through his journey with cancer, that song became his motto and the word BELIEVE became his inspiration to fight. As we reflected back on his life we found that his determination to BELIEVE led him to achieve all his dreams.
Since he was in grade four he talked about being a police officer. He continued to BELIEVE in this dream throughout his life and worked hard until he achieved it. After becoming a police officer Jas’s next dream was being a father. This process didn’t come easy but he never stopped BELIEVING that this dream would come true. After years of difficulty God gifted Jas and Minaz with two miracles, Jasmin Zahra and Inaaya Sarina. Nothing meant more to Jas then being a dad.
Then his greatest challenge came his way. Jas was diagnosed with a rare terminal cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma; cancer of the bile duct. His strength, courage, and optimism led him to beat the odds and live seventeen months when the doctors predicted that he would only live six. Just as he did throughout his life, Jas battled cancer like a true hero. We called him our Superman.
Stewart Scott, an ESPN sports anchor who battled cancer, was quoted as saying: “When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live.”
The way in which Jas lived his life truly showed us that he beat cancer. Each day he would wake up and thank God for giving him another day with his girls, then he would ask for the strength to continue his fight. His daughters inspired him to BELIEVE that anything is possible with the help of faith, patience, and love.
In his short life Jas achieved one of the most important goals we all strive for, and that is to be happy. True happiness is achieved by who we are, not what happens to us. It is not only something we receive, but it is also something we achieve. Our only wish is that he had more time to enjoy being happy — how ironic that his family nickname since birth was ‘Happy’.
Along his life’s journey Jas taught us important lessons that will give us the strength to live life the way he did:
-Never lose faith in God
-Family comes first
-Stand up for yourself and your beliefs
-Don’t let yourself be influenced by negativity
-Forgive and let go
If Jas were able to tell us all one last thing he would say no matter what your dreams are, “DON’T STOP BELIEVING!”
Thank you Jas for fighting to be with us until your very last breath. We thank God for every second he blessed Jasmin, Inaaya, and all of us with your love.
