Table Tennis for Life is a Pleasanton-based initiative focused on improving health and fostering community through the sport of table tennis. The nonprofit’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all by promoting physical, mental, and social well-being. The founders aim to inspire positive change by engaging in inclusive activities, bringing people together, and creating meaningful connections that strengthen communities.Two accomplished junior table tennis players, siblings Tanvi and Aarav Desai from Dublin, started the nonprofit in 2024. Tanvi is a sophomore at Emerald High School, while Aarav is an eight grader at Cottonwood Creek School.

“While competing at the 2023 US Open Table Tennis Championship in Ontario, California, Tanvi and Aarav encountered the Parkinson's Open event, which sparked their interest in supporting the Parkinson's community,” as writer Barbara Wei explained in a 2024 article for the USA Table Tennis organization. “In early April 2024, they reached out to the Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach Program for guidance and found leads to a special program for Parkinson's players run at the 888 Table Tennis Center. Soon after, they began volunteering during the summer and worked closely with individuals with Parkinson's, inspired by the positive impact table tennis could offer. Encouraged by their experience, they decided to establish Table Tennis for Life, a nonprofitinitiative with the mission of improving health and fostering community through table tennis.”

According to Mahesh Desai, the father of Tanvi and Aarav, the students were also motivated by the experience of their grandfather, a doctor living in India, who has experienced tremor-related challenges. In addition to founding the nonprofit, the two host weekly Table Tennis for Life sessions at Micro Motion Table Tennis Academy (MMTTA) in Pleasanton. “The sessions are focused on helping individuals with Parkinson’s disease, older adults, and others through movement, coordination, cognitive engagement, and social connection using table tennis,” the founders note.

Many people have benefited from the nonprofit since its creation. Since its founding, Table Tennis for Life has reached more than 2,200 people with Parkinson's and caregivers through free weekly sessions, community outreach, support-group presentations, and educational activities. The community initiative offers 90-minute free sessions to interested parties during their Table Tennis for Life events at MMTTA. The program is entirely volunteer-led, with students, families, and community members working together to organize and run the sessions. The founders also speak at various groups and have recorded two TEDx talks on how the sport improves health.

“The structured physical activity provided by table tennis plays a critical role in managing Parkinson's symptoms,” notes Dr. Santhosh Prabhu, a neurosurgeon specializing in Parkinson's disease. “The sport's demands on hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking align perfectly with the therapeutic needs of Parkinson's patients. Regular table tennis sessions help improve motor skills, enhance cognitive function, and provide much-needed social interaction.”

In February 2026, Tanvi and Aarav presented “How Table Tennis Improves Coordination, Balance, and Life for the Parkinson’s Community” at an event at Stanford University. In May, they presented a research abstract poster at the World Parkinson Congress 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. These Tri-Valley siblings seem determined to educate as many groups as possible on the many benefits of table tennis. In addition to financial contributions, the nonprofit welcomes donations of gently used table tennis paddles and rubbers, as quality equipment they say is crucial for promoting the sport.

“The biggest message we would like to share is that sports can become a powerful tool for improving lives and bringing people together,” the two say. “Through table tennis, we have seen participants build confidence, improve coordination and reaction time, feel more socially connected, and simply have more joy and motivation in their daily lives.”

For more information about Table Tennis for Life, please visit www.tabletennisforlife.org.