My name is Smarana Ramaa Gadepally. I was born in Mountain View, California in the same hospital I spent a month battling the monster in my right ovary.

I have the absolute best parents in the world. I'm lucky enough to have an Amma that doubles as my best friend and am my Nanna's special and only princess. I also have a pet tapeworm - aka Anna aka my brother Rishi - who I've always looked up to.

I just graduated from UC Riverside with a degree in Film Production (and a minor in Arabic!). I have the most loving family and the tightest group of friends anyone could ask for. My dream is to move to LA once all this craziness is over, and live in the city with my friend Mona. Someday, I'll marry my person and we'll have a bunch of kids. Speaking of kids, I'm beyond obsessed with my baby cousins, baby niece and nephews. Look through my phone and almost every other picture is a squishy, or a munchkin, or a squishy munchkin.

My innocence ended on 10/14/20 when this stupid cancer popped up on my right ovary. I dealt with a lot of frustration and pain but fought like a champion until the very end. Don't believe me?? I have witnesses!! You may wonder why I'm writing my own obituary in the present tense - it's because I'm still around! I've always been fascinated by mediums, healers, psychics and empaths. I underwent past life regressions which helped me overcome incredible challenges. If you're curious, you really need to check out Brian Weiss.

Anyway, it's time for me to say bye for now. Please do me one big favor - shower my Amma with tons of hugs and kisses and love. And Nanna and Anna too. Even though I'm gone, I'm never far away.

Hugs and kisses,

Smarana

P.S. In Lieu of Flowers, please consider donating to Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance !