Teenager Aeshaan Singhal is proof that one is never too young to improve life for others.
Singhal’s nonprofit Bye Bye Kids’ Cancer turned ten in 2024 and has launched chapters throughout the Bay Area, raising more than $25,000 for kids’ cancer research at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University. Singhal and the talented young people who have jumped on stage with him intend to increase that amount at a San Jose chapter talent show fundraiser this month.
On Oct. 19, Bye Bye Kids’ Cancer (www.byebyekidscancer.org), following an energetic Palo Alto Chapter talent show on July 13, comes to the outdoor stage again at Santana Row in San Jose. Young musicians and other performers from around Silicon Valley will entertain from noon to 3 p.m. at Valencia Park.
It all started when Singhal was five. He and his mom were visiting a patient at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. They saw a young girl in a hospital gown walk by pulling a red wagon. She had no hair. Singhal’s mom explained that the girl was likely having cancer treatment.
“It was the first time I realized that a child can be so sick, and I asked my mom how I could help,” said Singhal, now a 15-year-old sophomore at Palo Alto High School. At the time, he had just started learning guitar at the California Conservatory of Guitar (now the California Conservatory of Music).
“Why don’t you play the guitar to raise some money?” said his mom, Garima Agarwal.
Each year since then, with the help of his dad, Abhishek Singhal, and mom, Singhal has hosted a talent show. Over the decade, he has assumed more and more of the responsibility for the shows.
“Aeshaan has blossomed into a young man who is passionate about this cause and has wholeheartedly taken the command of the entire effort, including managing different chapters, events, and partnerships and wants nothing but to double the impact,” said Agarwal.
“Now that I’m older, I have mostly complete control over the Bye Bye Kids’ Cancer organization. It has taught me the most important lessons I will learn in my life, from small lessons like time management to larger lessons, like what it means to care and have an impact,” said Singhal, a classical guitarist.
Singhal recruits performers and new chapter leaders through his network of friends and past show participants. Some approach him.
Ryan, a young drummer, is a repeat performer for Bye Bye Kids’ Cancer.
“I love music and like to use my talent to help find a cure for cancer,” he said. “This platform gives all the kids an opportunity to showcase their talents and raise money for cancer research.”
Another of the 19 performers at the July talent show, nine-year-old Siona performed dances.
“I wanted to help kids my age battling the biggest fight of their lives. Also, I danced because my mom made me. But mostly because I wanted to help,” Siona said.
“Before the fundraiser, I took everything for granted. Now, when I hear stories of kids who have cancer or meet any kids who do, or read the statistics, I understand the severity of the problem. I began to truly care,” said Singhal. “Now, it is a topic that is important to me. I think it is my duty to do anything I can to help those who are not as fortunate and as blessed as me and many others are.”
His mom had the last word.
“While it’s true that Aeshaan is helping these kids by raising these funds, I have no doubt that this effort has helped shape his own personality to be a kind, caring, responsible, and enterprising young man who understands that he has the power to drive change,” said Agarwal. “I think that’s so valuable for this coming generation.”