Sharjah school student dies in India after battle with rare cancer

Students and faculty at GEMS Our Own English High School in Sharjah are mourning the death of 18-year-old Indian expat Glowin Chell, who died on Tuesday, 11 August, following a battle with a rare form of cancer. Chell, a Grade 12 student, succumbed to fibrosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that affects soft tissues, while undergoing treatment in her home state of Tamil Nadu, India. Academic resilience and secret battle Chell was diagnosed with the condition in August 2023 during her final year of school. Despite the diagnosis, she briefly paused her studies for treatment before returning to the classroom earlier this year, determined to complete her secondary education. Classmates in Sharjah described her as a "silent warrior" who maintained a positive attitude and strong academic performance without disclosing the severity of her illness to her wider peer group. According to school friends, many only learned of her health struggle following the news of her passing. "She was a bright student and a friendly classmate who always had a warm presence," said Nandana, a classmate in Grade 12 C. Others recalled her willingness to participate in class discussions and her support for fellow students even while undergoing medical care. Funeral held in Tamil Nadu The funeral took place on Wednesday, 12 August, in Marthandam, Kanyakumari district. Several friends from Sharjah travelled to India to attend the service and support the family. Close friends who had known her since Grade 9…