In the heart of Kaithal district of Haryana, a family finds solace amidst grief as they choose to turn their tragedy into a beacon of hope for others. The courageous decision of Manoj, father of the late 20-year-old Sahil, stands as a testament to the power of compassion even in the face of profound loss.
Sahil’s promising journey was abruptly cut short by a tragic accident on March 10, this year, leaving his family shattered. After the accident, Sahil was promptly admitted to a nearby hospital on the same day, and later transferred to PGIMER on March 10. Despite efforts to stabilize his condition, he succumbed to a severe head injury on March 13, 2024.
The medical team at PGIMER conducted a comprehensive evaluation, resulting in the determination of Sahil's brain death on the same day. During this challenging period, Sahil's father exhibited remarkable courage and altruism by consenting to donate all of his son’s organs and tissues. “It’s something no family should have to go through,” expressed Manoj.
“We said yes to Organ Donation, knowing that his organs will continue to beat, see, and offer a new chance at life to others brings some solace. It is our hope that his legacy of generosity will inspire others to consider organ donation. We knew it was the right thing to do,” said Manoj.
He said, “We have done it so that our son lives through others. We have done it for our own peace and solace. We want to motivate people on organ donation to realize that death is not the end of things, people can live on through others, through this,” said the father of the donor while maintaining his calm despite the grave tragedy.
Sahil's legacy of generosity continued as his heart, kidneys, and corneas were donated, offering a new lease of life to four patients. Despite their grief, Sahil’s family found solace in the knowledge that his spirit lives on through others. Their selfless act of organ donation not only honours Sahil’s memory but also inspires countless others to consider the gift of life.
The journey of Sahil’s heart, orchestrated by the tireless efforts of medical professionals, exemplifies the profound impact of organ donation. With the intervention of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), Sahil’s heart found its way to a matching recipient in MGM Chennai, bridging the gap between despair and hope.
Reflecting on this noble act, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)’s director Prof Vivek Lal expressed profound gratitude to Sahil’s family. “The donation made by Sahil’s family stands as a testament to the profound impact of altruism,” he remarked. “No words are enough to convey our gratitude to them,” added Dr Lal.
Sharing details, PGIMER’s Medical Superintendent and Nodal Officer, NOTTO (North), Prof Vipin Koushal said: “Time being the crunch factor, a synergized and well-coordinated effort by PGIMER made sure that the sentiments of the family are honoured. With NOTTO’s proactive intervention, the heart was airlifted by a 4 pm flight on March 14 coinciding with the retrieval timings. Green corridor was created from PGIMER to International Airport, Mohali with active cooperation and liasoning of PGI security, UT Administration, and Police. Otherwise, it would have been almost impossible to carry out this task.”
