A Little Angel became ‘Beacon of Hope ’
for many In-waiting Organ Failure Patients,
As her family’s Generous Decision of Organ Donation
impacts 2 Lives with transplantation of Kidneys & Pancreas at PGIMER
A little angel aged 4 years became a beacon of hope for many in-waiting organ failure patients as her parents’ generous decision of organ donation amid their own grim tragedy resulted in saving the lives of two patients suffering from end-stage renal failure and battling for survival, here at PGIMER Chandigarh.
Prof. Vivek Lal, 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, neuro surgeons, 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.”
Like any other normal day, the family was busy in their routine chores on 2nd January and their 4 year old cherubic daughter playing gleefully as usual ….completely oblivious of the impending doom till the moment the little daughter fell from the height and became unconscious. The family immediately rushed her to the Kihar Medical College Chamba and later to Dr.Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda from where she was further referred to PGI and was admitted here on 3rd January in an extremely critical condition.
But all the efforts of the family and friends could not deter the dark tragedy as the little girl’s week long 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 9th January.
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 for organ donation.
The grief-stricken but brave-heart young father of the little girl , who wanted to keep his identity anonymous due to his personal 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 own peace and solace. We hope our daughter’s story will inspire families who find themselves in the same position. We want to aware people on organ donation to realize 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. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER & Nodal Officer, ROTTO (North), while expressing his sentiments, stated, “Life after death” merely sounds unrealistic until the organ donation gives it a meaning. This case of cadaver organ donation has been an epitome of humanity and self-sacrifice on two counts; the donor family’s courage and resolution to donate the organs of their angelic 4 year old daughter and PGIMER’s determined efforts to make this transplant a success despite whatever odds.”
Prof. Koushal further elaborated, “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 kidneys and pancreas. Once the donor organs became available, everyone swiftly got into action leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the donor’s legacy continues and thereby, giving a fresh lease of life to two renal failure patients with the transplantation of one Kidney and Pancreas simultaneously in one patient and transplantation of other retrieved Kidney in the second patient here at PGIMER. ”
