In death, youth turns saviour for two

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 5

A family from Ambala district set an example of compassion and unconditional love by consenting to donate organs of their dear one, Sunil Kumar (22), and saved lives of two terminally ill renal-failure patients with the transplantation of retrieved kidneys at the PGI here.

On November 21, Sunil Kumar, a resident of Tharauli village in Ambala district, was going for work when his motorcycle collided with a roadroller. The impact of the collision was so strong that Sunil fell down and his head hit against the road, leaving him unconscious with a head injury. Without losing any time, the family rushed him to the local civil hospital. Seeing no improvement in Sunil’s condition, the hospital referred him to the PGI next day. However, Sunil’s 10 days of gruelling struggle between life and death came to an end on December 2 when he was declared brain dead.

But even in this darkest hour, Sunil’s father Rajesh Kumar showed exceptional courage and magnanimity by consenting to donate the organs of his brain dead son. The donor’s kidneys, after retrieval, were transplanted in two terminally ill renal failure patients, giving them a second chance to live.

“Sunil was selfless. He never did anything for recognition. He did things for others because it made him feel good. There was always a glow on his face and twinkle in his eyes as he would tell me of his experience of helping someone. Even in his death, he has done what he lived for by selflessly saving the lives of others. He will continue to live amongst us through his recipients,” said Rajesh Kumar.

“We can’t thank the donor family enough. The decision of the strangers who wanted only to help others, gave my brother a new lease of life. I can’t believe my luck,” said the sister of one of the kidney recipients.

Prof Vipin Koushal, Nodal Officer, ROTTO, North, PGI, stated, “Sunil Kumar’s family is a role model for others as they exhibited exemplary and altruistic spirit by taking a hard decision in tragedy and saved others’ lives.”

So far, 28 other families had donated organs of their dear ones at the PGI this year.