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Courtesy photo Dr. Vinod Thakkar (seated) and Dr. P.J. Patel are quite involved with the Tanglewood Residents' Cancer Benefit. This year the duo is offering a special raffle for the Feb. 21 event.

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published: Sunday, February 05, 2012

Thakkar, Patel give back to giving community

By NEIL SIMPSON

Special to the News-Sun

SEBRING - Two of Sebring's more prominent doctors are major sponsors of the Tanglewood Residents' Cancer Benefit again this year. Dr. Vinod Thakkar and Dr. P.J. Patel have been amazed by Tanglewood's ability to raise so much money each year for cancer research and are thrilled to help out.

Thakkar was raised in India and moved to New Jersey in 1973 where he spent five years in medical school before discovering Sebring in 1979 with its great weather, abundance of cattle and oranges and only one traffic light. When Thakkar, a gastroenterologist, and his wife, an anesthetist, arrived in Sebring there weren't many doctors and there was a real need for specialists with the skills this young couple possessed.

The Thankkars raised their son and daughter in Sebring. Taking the kids to Lakeland for gymnastics was too much, so Thakkar joined with the YMCA to build the gymnastics centre. Lacking theater opportunities for the children led to the Thakkar Pavilion at the Highlands Little Theatre. Their daughter now practices law in Tampa and their son is a cancer specialist in Charlotte, N.C. The Thakkars have two grandsons, one granddaughter and a fourth grandchild on its way.

The community focus has continued with the Thakkar Foundation, which was established in 1984-85. The foundation distributes its resources equally in five areas: sports, natural disasters, international aid, education in Sebring and miscellaneous events. As a supporter of the American Cancer Society, Tanglewood's Cancer Benefit was a natural fit.

Patel was also born in India but soon moved to Ocala where he attended high school. He graduated from University of South Florida and went to Columbia Medical School where he earned his Gasterenterology Fellowship. In 2003 Patel brought his advanced skills in cancer staging and diagnosis to Sebring, looking to settle in a small town close to home. Thakkar's excellent reputation made it an even easier decision to locate here.

Patel's wife is a biochemist in cancer research. They have two boys, ages 9 and 6.

Patel is following Dr. Thakkar's example of giving back to the community. He is proud to be helping with funding for the International Baccalaureate program at Sebring High School, is a board member of NUHOPE Hospice as well as being a supporter of the cultural programs at South Florida Community College.

Patel was asked to be the guest speaker at Tanglewood's Luminary event in 2009. That led to the doctors' ongoing support for the Tanglewood Residents' Cancer Benefit.

Thakkar and Patel have been joined in their practice by Dr. Avalos and have opened a satellite office on U.S. 27 North, close to Tanglewood.

Their practice serves an aging population and they want everyone to be proactive about all aspects of their health with a special focus on diet and exercise. Prevention is key and they urge seniors to continue having colonoscopies.

To emphasize this message, there will be a special raffle at the Feb. 21 Tanglewood Residents' Cancer Benefit. The doctors will offer two free colonoscopies and dinner out on the town. They suggest that wives buy a ticket so they may give the gift of healthy living to their husbands.