Surat, March 8 – On the eve of International Women’s Day, an extraordinary act of generosity has redefined the essence of humanity. In Surat, 49-year-old Anjuban Rajeshbhai Narola was declared brain dead, prompting her family to make a heart-wrenching yet inspiring decision. They chose to donate her hands, kidneys, liver, and eyes, offering a new lease on life to six individuals, including a 35-year-old man from Dahod who underwent a rare double hand transplant.
As per reports, Nileshbhai Mandalewala, the founder of the Donate Life organization, highlighted how Anjuban’s donation serves as an inspiration, especially on International Women’s Day. Though she is no longer alive, her organs continue to sustain six people, keeping her legacy alive.
Anjuban collapsed unexpectedly on the morning of March 4 while attending to her daily household chores. She was immediately rushed to Kiran Hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with severe brain hemorrhage. On March 6, she was declared brain dead. Her family, including her husband and son, then made the noble decision to donate her organs, believing that rather than allowing her body to turn to ashes, her energy could illuminate others’ lives.
One of the most remarkable beneficiaries of Anjuban’s donation was a 35-year-old line worker from Vadodara MGVCL. In July 2022, he suffered a severe electric shock while working on a power pole, leading to the amputation of both his hands. With a wife, three daughters, and a son, his life had become increasingly challenging. However, thanks to Anjuban’s donated hands, he has been given a second chance at life. A team led by Dr. Arvind Patel at Kiran Hospital successfully performed Gujarat’s first-ever double hand transplant.
This is the second instance in just six days where the Donate Life organization has facilitated a hand transplant, marking another milestone in organ donation history.
The impact of Anjuban’s donation extended to multiple recipients. One of her kidneys was transplanted into a 29-year-old woman in Surat, while the other went to a 60-year-old man. Her liver was donated to a 38-year-old male patient in Surat, and her eyes will be used to restore vision in two individuals.
Donate Life has played a crucial role in organ donation across Surat, facilitating the donation of 528 kidneys, 229 livers, 55 hearts, 52 lungs, 9 pancreases, 8 hands, and 419 corneas to date. These contributions have provided hope and life to countless patients across India and beyond.
Surat, known as the textile and diamond hub of India, is now earning recognition as an "Organ Donor City." Thanks to the relentless efforts of Donate Life and the generosity of Surat’s citizens, a total of 1,301 organs and tissues have been donated over the years, saving or improving the lives of 1,197 individuals.
