A little angel aged 13 years became a beacon of hope for many in-waiting organ failure patients as her parents’ generous decision of organ donation amid their grim tragedy resulted in saving the lives of four patients suffering from end-stage organ failure and battling for survival, one at Mumbai and three at PGIMER Chandigarh. The retrieved corneas, on transplantation, will restore the sight of two corneal blind patients here at PGIMER.
Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER, expressing PGIMER’s indebtedness to the donor family, stated, “It is an extremely hard decision, but the donor families are a ray of hope, a silver lining in the dark lives of organ failure patients. It is through their generous gifts that hundreds of people each year are given a second chance at life.”
The Director further shared, “At the same time, we cannot underestimate the commitment of the entire team of PGIMER involved in the process right from brain death certification committee, transplant coordinators, testing labs, treating doctors and especially intensivists who maintain the potential donor in the best condition for optimum usage of organs and transplant surgeons who save precious lives with their skill and synergy.”
It was the fateful day of 8 July when the 13-year-old donor from Chandigarh became unconscious due to cerebral oedema and was rushed to Govt Multi Speciality Hospital, Sector 16. However, due to a worsening prognosis, she was shifted to PGIMER in an extremely critical condition the next day.
But all the efforts of the family and friends could not deter the dark tragedy as the little girl’s ten days struggle between life and death came to a halt as she could not be revived and subsequently, after following the protocols as per THOA 1994 was declared brain dead on 18 July.
When it became clear that the little girl would not come out of her precarious condition, the transplant coordinators at PGIMER approached the grief-stricken father, to request if he could consider organ donation. The resolute and brave heart father showcased immense grit and consented to organ donation.
The grief-stricken but brave-heart young father of the little girl wanted to keep his identity anonymous due to his sentiments, said “It’s something no family should have to go through. We said yes to Organ Donation because we knew this could help someone else and they wouldn’t need to go through the heartache that we were going through. We knew it was the right thing to do.”
“We just want people to know about the cause and not who did it as we have done it so that our daughter re- lives through others. We have done it for our peace and solace. We hope our daughter’s story will inspire families who find themselves in the same position. We want to aware people of organ donation to realise that death is not the end of things, people can live on through others, through this,” recalled the young father maintaining his calm despite the grave tragedy.
Prof. Ashok Kumar, Addl. Medical Superintendent PGIMER and acting Nodal Officer, ROTTO (North), while detailing the latest case, said, “As the donor family wanted their daughter to relive in others, it became our moral duty as well to respect their wish. Following the family’s consent, we secured her heart, liver, kidneys and corneas. Once the donor organs became available, everyone swiftly got into action leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the donor’s legacy continues. As the cross-matching indicated no matching recipient for heart in PGIMER, we immediately got in touch with other transplant hospitals to explore options for matching recipients and finally, the heart was allocated to Sir H N Reliance Hospital, Mumbai with the intervention of NOTTO”