Faraz’s Story

I always asked myself:

What is the most effective thing I can do with my life to make the world a better place?

In 2010, inspired by Patch Adams, I started volunteering in a children’s hospital. 

I was an introvert and it was very difficult for me to be funny and act and play music in a room full of children suffering from cancer, many of whom were terminal cancer patients.

On my way back home, I cried, thinking some of my favorite people will not be there next week when I go back.

I wasn't having the impact I wanted with my Chemical Engineering degree. But what could be more effective?

I wanted to save humans! 

This was what motivated me to continue my education in cancer research. I got my MS at one of the best cancer centers in the U.S. Then I got my PhD in biomedicine. 

I remember hoping that one day I’d win the Nobel Prize, not for the reputation and recognition, but because my research was so impactful and saved many lives. 

I was dreaming to one day reduce cancer deaths by a fraction of a percentage (which is significant). But later I learned that 40% of cancers are preventable, yet we don't talk about it.

Another mind-boggling fact was even if I cured all cancers, the number one cause of death would still be cardiovascular diseases, which is almost entirely preventable. 

The question became: what is the most effective thing that I can do with my limited time in my life?

Coincidentally, this is the time that I first came across animal rights issues. Veganism is not even a word in my mother language! 

I grew up with my mom telling me I needed to eat bone marrow and meat to stay healthy. (Spoiler alert, that's not how it works!) 

I remember telling myself I love meat so much that I can never live without it. This was later replaced with cheese when I went vegetarian. Ugh 🙈.

When I was presented with facts and also saw what animals go through for meat, egg, dairy, wool, experimentation, etc. the only rational and ethical decision was to go vegan.

I did that thinking I’d have to eat lettuce for the rest of my life! I had precisely zero vegan friends in real and virtual worlds. I didn't know there was plant-based milk, egg, and meat.

A plant-based diet can eliminate and even reverse the progression of the top causes of death. Meaning if I'm successful in my mission, and more people eat plant-based, I will save more lives than if I cured cancer!

Because abusing animals for food is one of the leading causes of environmental destruction and climate change, preventing that will benefit every single human and non-human animal in the world, be it a patient or a healthy person, be it a dog or a bee.

The scale at which we kill animals, completely needlessly by the way, and the depth and scale of their suffering, far exceeds any other form of suffering.

So there was my answer.

Rationally, mathematically, statistically, and ethically the best way to use my time and energy to help others is to be a vegan and advocate veganism. 

Veganism isn't just this arbitrary cause that I suddenly became interested in. 

Vegan advocacy has connected me to some of the most dedicated, kind-hearted, compassionate, and intelligent scientists, physicians, environmentalists, lawyers, food technologists, and activists, some of whom are at ASAP today to help us achieve our goals ASAP. 

You see people from any profession, any age, any country, and any religion who, just like me, see the urgency for the world to go vegan. 

Today at ASAP, we’re here to provide education and support to those who want to take a step toward protecting animals, be it human or non-human!