Hello! I am Ashika Mongar, a fighter of blood cancer. I was born and raised in Thimphu. I completed my 12th grade at Motithang Higher Secondary School and will continue my higher education with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at KL University in India.

Losing my father to cancer at the age of eight and my mother to the same disease at fourteen has shaped who I am today. Ever since then, my caring maternal aunt has prioritised looking after my younger sister and me.

Now I’ve found a new family here at Loden.

At sixteen, I learned that I had been battling blood cancer (leukemia). This fight profoundly shaped my perspective on life and renewed my appreciation for the simple joys and meaningful moments that make up our lives. Witnessing the significant impact of medication and pharmaceutical interventions on patients like myself fueled my desire to pursue a career in pharmacy. My experience as a cancer patient has instilled in me a sense of resilience and determination, qualities that I believe will serve me well in the field of pharmacy.

As a fighter, I am dedicated to living a full and purposeful life. During challenging times, engaging myself by learning new instruments and experimenting with different vocal styles has been an essential part of who I am and how I connect with the world around me.