Through our LOSS, we were able to give someone else LIFE.

Sailesh Gandhi, aged 50 years, was suffering from a severe liver ailment which required a liver transplant. Haemochromatosis i.e. iron deposition, a genetic disease led to liver cirrhosis.

We had registered for liver transplant in Hinduja Hospital and were on the wating list. Seeing the success rate of the transplant in Hyderabad’s Global Hospital, we decided to register there as well. Fortunately, Sailesh found a cadaveric donor, an accident case where the gentleman was brain dead, in Hyderabad. Before he was operated, he expressed his desire to his sister, Dr. Pramila Bhatia and his daughter, Sweni Suken Shah that he would also like to donate his organs if something happened to him during or after the transplant.

The transplant was carried out by renowned surgeon, Dr. Rajashekhar (based in New Delhi) and the operation was successful. The post-operative team led by Dr. Dharmesh Kapoor was dedicated and very co-operative throughout the last six months.

He was almost coming back to normalcy but life had something else in store for him. On Monday, 16th April, 2007, Sailesh complained of a severe headache and became unconscious within a few seconds at approximately 5.45 pm. He was rushed to Hinduja Hospital where a C. T. Scan was done. He was diagnosed to have suffered from a massive brain hemorrhage leading to brain stem death.

Courageously, his family faced the facts of medical science and at this crucial juncture, his wife Prita, his father C.M. Gandhi a well known philanthropist, his sister Dr. Pramila Bhatia and other family members decided to respect his wishes by donating his kidneys (which gave life to two patients), his two eyes and skin.

The Gandhi family has truly done a great deed to society by donating the organs of their beloved which gave life to so many. There is no greater donation than organ donation. This is a great example for all of us to imbibe and follow.

Add your name to the organ donation registry and save the lives of millions waiting for a transplant.