DONATE LIFE

LIVE A LIFE AFTER LIFE,
DONATE ORGANS SAVE LIVES
TM

TM
DONATE LIFE
An initiative for organ donation
‘Beyond Life, There Is Hope For A Better Tomorrow’
The cycle of life and death is a very beautiful, undeniable phenomenon that is in the
hands of a power that is beyond human. But saving lives and giving the gift of
breath is in our power and is completely human. How do we do that? By donating
our organs.
Organ donation is the need of the day and a hope for the brighter future of those
who are not as blessed as most of us. There are those who need an organ to survive
and then there are those who have transcended into a different world and whose
organs could infuse life in many who are still in this world. Our non-profit
organisation, Donate Life, serves as the bridge between the two.
‘Organ Donation Is A Blessing That Stays Long After You Have Passed Away’
As compared to the rest of the world, organ transplants began only in the 1970s in
India. Today, as we stand almost 5 decades away, we still have a very long way to go.
Donate Life is devoted to the world at large, without any commercial motive,
facilitating organ donations between the donors and the recipients.
Nothing in the world can compare with the value of a life-it is priceless. That is
what makes it even more difficult to preserve a life. At Donate Life, we believe in
making the difficult, possible. All our efforts are thus directed in the direction of
increasing the number of organ donors and decreasing the number of deaths
resulting due to non-availability of an organ for transplant-there by saving a life.
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION - 4
II. ABOUT DONATE LIFE - 6
III. OUR TEAM - 11
IV. THE A TO Z OF ORGAN DONATION - 19
V. HISTORY OF ORGAN DONATION - 20
VI. PROCESS OF ORGAN DONATION - 28
VII. LEGAL SCENARIO - 30
VIII. NEED FOR ORGAN DONATION IN INDIA - 32
IX. MAJOR HURDLES FOR ORGAN DONATION IN INDIA - 34
X. WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE ORGANS? - 36
XI. ROLE OF DONATE LIFE - 40
XII. FIRST KIDNEY, LIVER AND HEART
DONOR FROM SURAT - 44
XIII. FEELINGS OF ORGAN RECIPIENTS - 48
XIV. VIEWS OF DIGNITARIES ABOUT DONATE LIFE - 54
XV. AWARDS & APPRECIATION - 60
XVI. FAQs - 63
XVII. PRESS COVERAGE - 70

ABOUT DONATE LIFE
‘What We Have Is Material, What We Do Stays Forever’
Donate Life is a non-profit organisation of people who are willing to make the
world a better place to live in. We were established on December 4, 2014.
Under the leadership of Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala who has dedicated his life to this
cause since 2005 and with the support of other founder trustees, it has been our
constant endeavour to contribute to the best abilities to this noble initiative.
There are over 20lakh patients waiting for a kidney transplant in India - 2 lakh
being added to that number every year. The number for various other organs like
heart, liver, eyes are equally shocking. This worrisome situation has strengthened
our resolve to save as many lives as we can.
Till 31st December 2017, we at Donate Life have procured 234 kidney, 94 liver, 16
heart, 6 pancreas, 196 eyes and 4 bones. We have given a new lease of life to 543
people across India & the globe.
Donate Life is the pioneer for the first ever successful cadaver heart transfer and
transplant in Western India. Donate Life is also the pioneer in first ever inter state
heart transplant from Surat, Gujarat to Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Indore, Madhya
Pradesh.
Donate Life is also responsible for carrying out the first-ever bone donation,
successfully from Gujarat.
45% of the cadaveric kidney & liver transplants at Institute Of Kidney Disease &
Research Centre in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 20% of the heart transplants at
Mumbai's Fortis Hospital have taken place due to the efforts of our organisation.
Also, out of the four heart transplants that have taken place at Ahmedabad's
CIMS hospital, two have been donated from Surat through Donate Life.
We are committed to spreading awareness for the importance of cadaver organ
donation. We were established for two purposes:
To spread awareness and make cadaver donation possible, by increasing the
number of cadaver organ donations in India and facilitating the entire process.
To prevent the alarming number of kidney and liver failure cases that happen in
India and also provide them with a new lease of life.
7

OUR MISSION
‘Not Everyone Has The Chance To Be God For Another; You Do’
We are as determined as soldiers are on a mission. These are our aims:
To spread knowledge and awareness that aids in the prevention of kidney and liver diseases.
To spread awareness about cadaver organ donations in the country among the people.
To facilitate the process of organ donations right from procuring the organs from a donor to making sure that
the recipient gets a new lease of life.
To instill hope among the people for a new life, even after they have given up.
To convince the families of those patients who are declared brain-dead to donate organs and remove fear
from the minds of the people and encourage them to pledge their organs for donation.
To help the people cope with the mental trauma that comes when they are suffering during the diseases.
Networking with hospitals that are capable of handling organ transplantation procedure.
Each and everyone of us at Donate Life contribute our time and energy without any commercial motive,
solely for the benefit of the humanity and large.
OUR VISION
‘With Awareness Comes Knowledge, With Knowledge Comes Change’
Our prime focus has always been and will always be to serve humanity unconditionally. Our vision is to
bridge the gap between the number of people who need organs and the number of people who donate
organs. We want to ensure that the maximum number of people pledge their organs for donation. We
also aim to make the process of organ transplantation smoother and faster.
There are so many people who are declared brain dead and are beyond the scope of revival from that
point. If transferred at the right time, the organs of these patients may help so many people and give
them hope. Through the awareness, we spread and the counselling of the family members of such
patients, we want more people to come forward and voluntarily pledge their organs for donation along
with asking their families to make sure that their wish is complied with after their death. This is how
we can prevent a large number of deaths - with an assurance that the organ of your loved one will live
longer and provide hope to another.
We work in accordance with the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 and Transplantation of
Human Organs Rules, 1995. We are also registered as a ‘Trust' under Section 80 (G) (5) of the Income
Tax Act, 1961.
9

OUR CORE VALUES
‘You Can Live Twice’
Selflessness
If everyone thought about the world even for a few minutes in the day, half our problems would get
solved right then. We strongly believe in selflessness, and giving it back to the society.
Social Responsibility
We know that the world does not work on it’s own. When the society as a whole takes up collective
responsibility, that is when problems get solved. We have a strong sense of social responsibility
and we strongly uphold it at every step.
Solidarity
Not everyone is born the same, not everyone is born fortunate. We don’t just express solidarity but
also act on it. We want to reduce the suffering in the world and are pro-actively working towards
our goal every day. The world needs love and care. We do our part in it.
Compassion
To be able to counsel a person who is suffering through pain, we need to be empathetic. We don’t
just understand but also feel what they are going through and then counsel them out of their
mental trauma.
Hard-working
Nothing in life comes easy. As an NGO, we face a lot of hurdles everyday and often have to race
against time in order to transfer one organ from one place to another. We work hard as the task at
our hand is to save someone’s life and not let someone’s wish to donate go in vain.
OUR TEAM
‘Your Actions Define You, Not Your Words’
One finger alone cannot do much but five fingers together form a fist. That is the power of a
team and we strongly believe in teamwork at Donate Life.
So far, since the date of our establishment, we have been able to achieve success in carrying
out organ transfers and transplantation only because of our team of founder trustees and our
volunteers who have selflessly devoted time for this cause.
This would not have been possible without the noble Samaritans who have dedicated a lot
more than just time and energy to help humanity.
10

MEET DONATE LIFE’S TEAM
‘We Are Many, But One’
Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala, Founder & President
There is always one person who lays down the very first brick to
build a new initiative. For Donate Life, Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala was
that person.
Mr. Mandlewala who first was a successful businessman in the
textile industry, later became a renowned social worker and is
known for his contributions to various social activities, having
touched a lot of lives.
Today, he wholeheartedly dedicates most of his time to this noble
cause through Donate Life, with a strong vision and an even
stronger conviction. But what gave birth to Donate Life?
In 1997, his father's kidney had failed. He was taken to Mumbai's
Hinduja Hospital to perform an angioplasty on his kidney. Then
onwards, since 2004, his father had to compulsorily go through
dialysis twice a week, as a result. Only those who go through this
extremely painful procedure know how mentally, physically and
financially draining it is. The suffering of Mr. Mandlewala's father
and his family was too much to bear. They had to undergo a lot of
duress which affected them drastically.
But even during this painful time, Mr. Mandlewala thought that if
he had to go through so many difficulties during dialysis, what
would be the condition of the common man? The average
middle-class common man of India can barely afford that highly
expensive cost of dialysis, let alone cope with the mental trauma
that the entire family goes through when one person in the family
is affected. He wondered that couldn't all the problems faced by
the patients and their families end by organ transplantation?
Just like a butterfly is born only out of a painful struggle in its
cocoon, Mr. Mandlewala started his efforts towards spreading
awareness for the cause of organ donation when his father
underwent such a traumatic period.
Mr. Mandlewala was the Honorary Secretary of The Southern Gujarat Chamber Of Commerce &
Industry (SGCCI) and used to meet a lot of people from various fields. During this time, he met the
President of Gujarat's Chamber Of Commerce, Mr. Chinubhai Shah, who was associated with an
organisation that worked for kidney diseases awareness, called ‘India Renal Foundation'. Impressed
by the knowledge that Mr. Mandlewala had about kidneys and how inclined he was to spread
awareness about the cause, Mr. Shah asked him to join ‘India Renal Foundation'. Mr. Mandlewala
agreed and began educating people about how to take care of their kidney health.
It is during his mission to spread awareness about kidney health, he realised that in a 125
crore-people-strong country, most of the kidney transplants were live donations. The number of
cadaveric donations from brain dead people accounted for only 1-2% of the total donations. He got
know that while the number of people who die due to an accident was around 1.5lakh, those who
were brain-dead or died from a brain stroke were a lot more. 5 lakh people died every year in India
due to non-availability of organs for transplantation!
While it has been a decade that he has been pro-actively promoting the cause of organ donation and
working 24x7 for it - he did not always receive much support. When he had started spreading
awareness, many people would insult him or even get violent when he used to visit the hospital who
had declared a patient as brain-dead and attempted to convince the patient's family to donate the
patient's organs. But nothing has ever stopped him.
It was very difficult to convince the family members of those who were brain-dead to donate the
person's organs for the benefit of others. Mr. Mandlewala did not give up in spite of a number of
obstacles he faced and continued his movement to spread awareness with renewed vigour. He
contacted various neurosurgeons, neurophysicians and ICU in-charges of almost all hospitals in
Surat and convinced them to contact him should they come across a brain-dead patient. The doctors
agreed to support his cause.
12 13

On January 12, 2006, Mr. Mandlewala received a call from Surat's Ashaktaashram Hospital. He rushed
to the hospital without wasting even a single moment. The hospital's neurosurgeon, Dr.Ashok Patel
had declared a patient named Jagdishbhai Shah as brain-dead. It takes a lot of courage to approach
the people who have just lost their loved one and convince them to donate their family member's
organs while they are still recuperating from the loss. But Mr. Mandlewala along with social worker,
Mr. Jitendra Gurjar counselled the family members to donate Mr. Shah's organs.
After Jagdishbhai's family gave their consent, Mr. Mandlewala contacted Dr. Vatsa Patel who knew
about the procedure of organ donation at Ahmedabad's Institute of Kidney Disease and Research
Centre (IKDRC). Dr. Vatsa Patel then contacted Dr. H.L.Trivedi who then immediately sent Dr. Pranjal
Modi and his team to collect Jagdishbhai's kidney. This was the very first time in Gujarat that an
inter-city kidney donation from Surat to Ahmedabad had happened. This was Mr. Mandlewala's first
success story. Then came many others.
In 2013, Surat's Income Tax Commissioner (Appeals) Mr. Sandeep Kumar's (IRS) kidney failed. His
family members were ready to donate their kidneys to him but because they were ailing from
different diseases like blood pressure, kidney stones they could not do so. The doctor who was
performing the dialysis of Mr, Sandeep Kumar - Dr. Ketan Desai and CA Hiren Divan approached Mr.
Mandlewala for a kidney transplant. Sandeep Kumar's dialysis began at Ahmedabad IKDRC. After
some time when Mr. Sandeep Kumar got a cadaver organ donation and underwent a kidney
transplant, he decided to dedicate the rest of his life for the cause of organ donation. Today he is the
Vice-President of Donate Life.
Sometime after this incident, with the support and encouragement of the founder trustees, who are
the renowned personalities of Surat city and country, like the Commissioner of Income Tax,
Chartered Accountants, Advocates and Businessmen namely Mr. Sandeep Kumar IRS, Mr. Rakesh
Jain, Mr. Hemant Desai, Mr. Hiren Diwan, Mr. Ramesh Malpani, Mr. Nirmal Sukh Baijal, other trustees
and hundreds of other volunteers, Donate Life was established on 4th December, 2014. Param Pujya
Didi Maa Sadhvi Ritambharaji who inaugurated Donate Life's initiative.
Mr. Mandlewala's efforts towards organ donation continue even today with more and more people
getting a re-incarnation like experience due to the donated organs.
With his vision, passion, commitment and dedication to organ donation activities, he achieved
several milestones in this field, so far, Mr. Mandlewala and Donate Life have been able to persuade
& procure 234 kidney, 94 liver, 16 heart, 6 pancreas, 196 eyes and 4 bones. We have given a new lease
of life to 543 people across India & the globe.
Also taking it upon himself to educate and spread awareness to more than 9 lac people on Cadaver
organ donation.
His aims in the life are to set up a kidney transplant hospital of international standards at Surat, to
promote the awareness of cadaver organ donations, thereby saving lives. He also wants to open a
skin, bone and tissue bank and work towards hands and lungs transplantation. He is also working
towards the donation of heart-valves of small children.
Everyone either drinks tea or coffee. But Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala sacrificed drinking tea or coffee so
that when someone offers him tea or coffee, he can talk about the cause of cadaver organ donation.
He has taken a vow that will not resume drinking tea or coffee until 1,111 organs are donated. He feels
that is a very small sacrifice he is making towards the cause.
Mr. Mandlewala's wife, children, his deceased friend Anthony Varghese, the trustees of Donate Life
and all the volunteers who have given their contributions to the organisation has made it reach the
peak that it sits on today.
To talk about Mr. Mandlewala's background - he was the president of Southern Gujarat Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) in the year 2009-10. During his tenure as president, SGCCI became
the first chamber in the country to established a Trade and Convention centre of its own which was
inaugurated by the then Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi on 12th March 2010. He
is a member of Surat Shaher Shanti Samiti and District Legal Services Authority, District Court Surat,
and also a trustee in Traffic Education Trust, Surat. He is Vice President of South Gujarat Productivity
Council (SGPC), Surat. He has worked as a conciliator in Permanent Lok Adalat, District Legal
Service Authority, and District Court Surat. He is also rendering services as Vice President of
Vatsalya Gram Samiti, Surat of Vatsalya Gram Project run by Param Pujya Didi Maa Sadhvi
Ritambharaji with the vision of providing a home to orphaned children, destitute women and lonely
grannies across the globe.
14 15

Mr. Sandeep Kumar, IRS, Vice- President
Mr. Sandeep Kumar is an officer of the 1989 batch of the Indian
Revenue Services (IRS) and belongs to the city of Varanasi. He has
completed his post-graduation in Ancient History from Allahabad
University and has also studied Sanskrit Literature and Hindi
Literature.
In 2013, Surat's Income Tax Commissioner (Appeals) Mr. Sandeep
Kumar's (IRS) kidney failed. His family members were ready to
donate their kidneys to him but because they were ailing from
different diseases like blood pressure, kidney stones they could
not do so. The doctor who was performing the dialysis of Mr,
Sandeep Kumar - Dr. Ketan Desai and CA Hiren Divan approached
Mr. Mandlewala for a kidney transplant. Sandeep Kumar's dialysis
began at Ahmedabad IKDRC. After some time when Mr. Sandeep
Kumar got a cadaver organ donation and underwent a kidney
transplant, he decided to dedicate the rest of his life for the cause
of organ donation. Today he is the Vice-President of Donate Life.
After working in various capacities in the Income Tax Department
at various places like Delhi, Kanpur, Agra, Mumbai, Surat, he is
presently posted as Commissioner of Income Tax at Delhi. During
his career, he has dealt with and solved a number of difficult and
complex cases of revenue. One of his major achievements has
been the handling of Harshad Mehta Security Scam matters
wherein the revenue of about two thousand crore rupees was
collected by him. He has vast experience of dealing the cases of
the film industry and has also contributed the study material on
how to investigate and make assessments of the persons
belonging to the film industry, which was circulated in the income
tax department as a guidance material.
He is an avid reader and has an excellent knowledge of Indian
history and culture. During his free time, loves capturing different
moods of life through a passion for photography, and plays sports
like table-tennis, badminton and cricket.
Despite having his kidney transplanted in August 2013, he has
taken the keen interest in the activity of organ donation with Mr.
Nilesh Mandlewala and has been the motivator for the formation
of Donate Life. He has also been involved in many social activities
and in the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden. His motto of
life is as said by Mahatma Gandhi: "The best way to find yourself is
to lose yourself in the service of others."
Mr. Sandeep Kumar is a strong force that forms the backbone of Donate Life. He has gone through the
process of kidney transplantation himself and understands how difficult it is for a person who goes through
that phase. It is because of his support that the establishment of Donate Life has become possible. As he
underwent a kidney transplant himself, he didn't want others to go through the pain that he felt. It is because
of him that Donate Life could take the first steps to make this world a better place to live in. His spirit of
service is commendable.
Mr. Rakesh Jain, Secretary
Mr. Rakesh Jain is an established businessman and engaged in the
business of chemicals at Surat. He is also a well-known social
worker following the footsteps of his father, Shri Mithalal Jain.
He accompanies Mr. Mandlewala even during odd
hours-sometimes even in the middle of the night-when Donate Life
gets a call from a hospital for cadaver organ donation. He is always
there to make sure that the process of organ donation is done
successfully.
Medicine is something that every human needs in the 21st century.
And rising medical costs are the reason for worry, where most
people cannot afford it. Mr. Jain has been giving services in
providing medical treatments to the needy people.
He is Executive Core Committee Chairman of Southern Gujarat
Chamber of Commerce (SGCCI), Surat. He is also associated with
many trade and social organisations.
Mr. Ramesh Malpani, Treasurer
He is a practising Chartered Accountant at Surat for last 30 years. He was
chairman of Surat branch of Institute of Charted Accountants of India in
the year 1992. He has been associated with a number of social and trade
organizations.
16 17

THE A TO Z OF ORGAN DONATION
Mr. Hemant Desai, Trustee
He is a renowned practising advocate of Indirect Taxes at Surat for last
30 years. He is a trustee of India Charity Trust and Ethics Committee
Medical. He is Chairman of VAT committee in Southern Gujarat
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) since last 4 years.
His zeal for social work and public service has led him to join
Donate Life.
Mr. Desai is available 24x7 whenever Donate Life gets a call for organ
donation. He has been helping Mr. Mandlewala continuously to make
sure that the process of organ donation; right from organ harvesting
to organ transfer is done smoothly. His efforts are valuable to
Donate Life.
Mr. Hiren Diwan, Trustee
A renowned practising Charted Accountant at Surat, Mr. Hiren Diwan
is also a well-known social worker at Surat. He is a past chairman of
Surat branch of The Institute of Charted Accountants of India. He is
a pioneer trustee of the well-known eye hospital "Tarpan". He is the
treasurer of Traffic Education Trust, Surat. He is public-spirited and
is engaged in various social initiatives.
Mr. Nirmal Sukh Baijal, Trustee
He is a businessman and lives in Agra. He has completed his
graduation in commerce from Agra University. He is running the
businesses concerns namely Archie's gallery and Auto CAD centre.
He is a social worker and actively involved in the activities of social
service through various NGOs of the city.
‘Truth is indeed stranger than fiction’
We have heard about organ donation and how we can pledge our organs. We
have also heard about organ transplantation procedures. But how much do
we really know? This A to Z of organ transplantation will make you aware of all
facets of the cause.
In layman's terms organ donation is the process where the organs of a person
a removed with the consent of the donor or after the death of a person, with
the consent of the next of kin. Only healthy organs can be transplanted into
another person.
The very first kidney transplant noted in history was in 1954. Ronald Lee
Harrick, donated his kidney to his twin brother. The surgeon who performed
this procedure, Dr. Joseph Murray, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology
or Medicine for it.
The youngest donor in history is a 100 minute old baby, whose kidneys were
transplanted into an adult in 2015 . While the oldest known donor is a Scottish
woman who was 107 year old when a cadaveric donation happened of her
organs.
There are mainly two types of organ donation - living organ donation and
deceased/cadaver organ donation. Donate Life deals with the latter. Tissue
donation is also a kind of organ donation where one can donate tendons,
valves, veins, skin and bones. You can also donate your eye's cornea. Solid
organ donation happens in cases of brain-death only, whereas tissue organ
donation can happen in the cases of brain-death and in cases of other kind of
deaths.
When it comes to organ transplantation there two kinds, autografts and
allografts. Autografts are when organs or tissues are transplanted in the
same person’s body and allografts are when organs and tissues are
transplanted in two different beings of the same species. There is one more
less common kind called xenograft, where the organs or tissues are
transplanted into different species.
In the following pages, you will learn more about organ donation.
18 19

THE HISTORY OF ORGAN DONATION
THE FIRST ORGANS AND TISSUE
TRANSPLANTS IN THE WORLD & INDIA
The idea of organ donation is not new but unlike today, it was considered to be a myth
back in the ancient times. It was only in the middle of the eighteenth century that the
possibility was realised.
One of the major challenges that the early transplant surgeons faced was the
resistance from the immune system. The immune system is built into our body to
fight ‘alien' components that the body thinks to be harmful. The same happened
when an attempt at transplantation was made. Now the question faced by the
doctors was that how to deal with this issue.
CORNEA:
Austrian ophthalmologist, Eduard Konrad Zirm was an ophthalmologist who performed the first
successful human full-thickness corneal transplant on 7 December 1905. The donor was Karl Brauer,
an 11-year old boy who had iron metal bodies lodged in his eyes. The recipient was Alois Glogar, a
45-year-old day labourer whose corneas were damaged. His one eye had a clear vision after the
transplant but other one had complications.
India's first cornea transplant happened in 1948. Dr. RES Muthayya established the nation's first eye
bank in Chennai's Regional Institute Of Ophthalmology and Government Ophthalmic Hospital.
A few years later, it was discovered that some drugs could lower the body's
guard-thus the immune system. It did put the patients at risk of certain infections
but it also made transplant possible.
In 1960, Dr. Peter Medawar introduced a way of typing tissue (similar to the blood
typing of the 1900s) and soon tissue typing along with immune system suppression
was used to carry out an organ transplant.The invention of an immunosuppressant
drug named ‘cyclosporine' made a major breakthrough in the 1980s. In 1986, 9000
kidney transplants were performed in the United States that a good survival rate of
85% in the first year.
KIDNEY:
On June 17, 1950, Dr. Richard Lawler, performed the first kidney transplant. 49-year-old Ruth Tucker
was the recipient and the donor was deceased. It is said that some 40 doctors watched the surgery
that took one hour to perform. Later the kidney was removed due to rejection, some 10 months later.
But those 10 months, helped Ruth survive for another 5 years on her own kidney.
Another kidney transplant was performed on December 23, 1954 in Boston by Dr. Joseph Murray. The
donor was a living one. The transplant was performed between two identical twins, Richard and
Ronald Herrick. Richard needed a kidney and Ronald's kidney matched as there was no rejection. Dr.
Murray got a noble prize for this, years later.
India's first kidney transplant was done by Dr. P.K. Sen and his team at King Edward Memorial
Hospital, Mumbai in May 1965. The recipient died 11 days later due to complications but the kidney was
working properly until death.
20 21

LIVER:
Dr. Thomas Starzl performed the first ever deceased donor liver transplant in 1967 on a 19-month-old
Julie Rodriguez. He was known as the ‘father of transplantation'.
Julie became the first liver recipient with a survival exceeding one year.
India's first liver transplant happened on November 6, 1998 by Dr. A.S. Soin and Dr. Rajashekar on
42-year-old Bharat Bhushan at Delhi's Apollo Hospital. Bhushan was terminally ill and a corporate
executive was declared brain-dead, whose liver was donated. Bhushan lived for another 13 years.
HEART:
Dr. Christiaan Bernard Denise performed the first ever heart transplant on 53-year-old Lewis
Washkansy on December 3, 1967 in South Africa. Denis Darvall was the donor. Due to the
immunosuppressant drugs that he was given, Washkansy developed double pneumonia and died 18
days later. His new heart had functioned normally until his death.
In India, a group of 20 surgeons led by Dr. P. Venugopal successfully performed India's first heart
transplant at AIIMS, Delhi on August 3, 1994. Devi Ram, a 40-year-old was the recipient and the donor
was a 35-year-old woman. Devi Ram lived on for another 15 years.
PANCREAS:
The first successful pancreas transplantation in conjunction with a simultaneous kidney transplantation
was performed by W.D. Kelly, MD, and Richard Lillehei, MD, from the University of Minnesota in 1966.
Although the transplant was successful and her blood sugar levels had dropped, she died three months later
from a pulmonary embolism. In 1969, the same team did another transplant which had a survival rate of over
a year.
India's first pancreas transplant was done at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
(PGIMER), Chandigarh, performed the region's first pancreas transplant in December 2014. Ashok Kumar
(45), a native of Barnala, Punjab was the donor and Anju, a woman in her 30s received the organ.
SKIN:
Some Sanskrit manuscripts say that skin transplants were performed in 3000-2500 B.C. but there is no
evidence of it. The first modern skin transplant was performed by a German surgeon Carl Bunger in 1823. He
was repairing the patient's nose. He did skin grafting using the flesh of the patient's inner thigh.
Some sources suggest that Indian surgeon Sushruta did rhinoplasty in the 2nd century.
WHAT ORGANS CAN BE DONATED?
Not all organs of the human body can be donated.
CHEST:
The following organs in the chest area of the human body can be donated:
i) Heart (Cadaveric only)
ii) Lung (Cadaveric)
ABDOMEN:
i) Kidney (Cadaveric & Living)
ii) Liver (Cadaveric & Living)
iii) Pancreas (Cadaveric only)
iv) Intestine (Cadaveric & Living)
v) Stomach (Cadaveric only)
vi) Testis (Cadaveric & Living)
vii) Uterus & Ovaries ((Cadaveric)
LUNG:
Dr. James Hardy performed a lung transplant in 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Hardy and his team had
done 400 transplant experiments on dog which were not successful. So they decided that the first lung
transplant patient must be someone who was terminally ill. The first patient was a 58-year-old man
with lung cancer. After initial success, the patient died 18 days later.
India's first lung transplant came very recently. In July 2012, 41-year-old Jayshree Mehta when a senior
citizen donated his lungs and a transplant was performed at Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital.
TISSUES, CELLS:
i) Hand (Cadaveric only)
ii) Cornea (Cadaveric only)
iii) Skin (Cadaveric & Living)
iv) Islets of Langerhans (pancreas cells) (Cadaveric & Living)
v) Bone marrow/Adult stem cell (Cadaveric & Living)
vii) Blood Vessels (Cadaveric only)
viii) Heart Valve (Cadaveric only)
ix) Bone (Cadaveric & Living)
x) Blood & Platelets ((Cadaveric & Living)
22 23

TIME IN WHICH ORGANS NEED TO BE
DONATED AFTER DEATH
The medical condition of the person at the time of death can determine what organs and
tissues can be donated and what cannot be. Organs need to be removed as soon as the
person is declared brain-dead. Without the necessary oxygen supply, the organs stop
functioning right.
The approximate amount of time between recovering the tissues/organs and transplanting
them is:
Lung - 4 to 6 hours
Heart - 4 hours
Liver - 24 hours
Pancreas - 24 hours
Kidney - 72 hours
Cornea - 14 days
Bones - 5 years
Skin - 5 year
Heart Valves - 10 years
This is why creating a tissue bank (heart valves, skin, bones etc.) is possible but
creating an organ bank is not. In case of organ transplantation, the process has to
be very quick in order to save a life.
Keeping a brain-dead person on ventilator support helps as the organs continue
receiving oxygen, providing a window of time for doctors to conduct organ
transplantation.
There is a waiting list of people who have asked for an organ - however, in India, the
waiting list is very huge and the number of organ donors are far lesser.
Have you ever imagined how difficult it would be to transport vital organs from one
state to another or even part of a major city to another in the 21st century? Organs
like the heart and lungs give only 4 to 6 hours for the process.
The next section will tell you how organs are transported from one state or city to
another.
24 25

GREEN CORRIDOR SYSTEM
The green corridor system is one way to expedite organ transplants and save lives. In this system, the
traffic department collaborates to transport a vital organ in less than 60-70% of the time that is usually
taken to go from place A to place B.
While this system was first devised to handle medical emergencies, it is widely used for the purpose of
transfer of donated organs.
A ‘green corridor' is a special route that is managed in a way that all the traffic signals that come in the
route of the hospital where an organ is harvested and the hospital where it is to be transplanted, are
green and controlled manually.
By adopting this method, all the red signals on the way are skipped thereby speeding up the travel time
by several minutes - minutes that are enough to save someone's. For instance, in cities like Mumbai,
Delhi, Bangalore, it is extremely difficult to deal with traffic. Should there a need arise to transplant
an organ during the peak traffic hours, it gets extremely difficult and virtually impossible to get to the
destination in time. The earlier an organ is transplanted, the more chances of success.
Green corridor makes sure that there is no organ wastage. It is
an extremely useful system of managing traffic that requires a
very strong coordination among the traffic officials. When a
heart is donated, it needs to be airlifted as it is a race against
time. There is a time of only 4 hours between harvesting and
transplant, in which the transfer must happen. It is extremely
necessary to get the organ to the recipient in time. That is
where green corridor comes in handy.
In India, the concept of green corridor has been in use since
2014. Chennai was the first city to incorporate this concept. An
ambulance carried a heart to save the life of a 21-year old and
covered a distance of 12kms in just 14 minutes in Chennai-
Government General Hospital to Fortis Malhar Hospitals in
Adyar. Otherwise, the time taken for travel would have been
more than 45mins.
This system has also helped save lives in cities of Mumbai,
Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Indore in the last
two years.
Surat has become the first city in India to have incorporated
the system of black and white notification which make sure
that no time is wasted in created a green corridor. Donate Life
initiates the process by calling the police department, after
which every necessary thing is taken care of to transport the
organ on time. Organs would not have reached the recipient on
time without the support of Surat Police Department and
contribution of the Airport Authority Of Surat in facilitating
speedy takeoffs and landing and also night landing and
takeoffs in a very short time.
26 27

THE PROCESS OF ORGAN DONATION
‘Bring A Smile On Someone’s Face, Keep Them Smiling For Life’
Every time a cadaveric organ donation takes place, there is a specific process that is followed. It is
as following :
PLEDGING BY DONOR
You can pledge to donate your organs after your death with Donate Life. This is a voluntary act. Also,
the donor can communicate his/her wish to donate organs after death to family members and
friends.
VERIFICATION OF DEATH
The very first step is to verify whether the person is brain-dead and there is no scope for revival. Only
the organs of brain-dead patients' are donated.
According to the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, a competent doctor must certify a personas
brain-dead, the process of which is given in Form 10 of the Act. This death has to be certified by:
‘(i) the registered medical practitioner in charge of the hospital in which brain-stem death has
occurred;
(ii) an independent registered medical practitioner, being a specialist, to be nominated by the
registered medical practitioner specified in clause (i), from the panel of names approved by the
Appropriate authority;
(iii) a neurologist or a neurosurgeon to be nominated by the registered medical practitioner
specified in clause (i), from the panel of names approved by the Appropriate Authority; and
(iv) the registered medical practitioner treating the person whose brain-stem death has occurred.'
Who is a brain-dead patient?
Due to a brain stroke or a haemorrhage, due to an injury or illness, a person suffers an irreversible
and catastrophic condition where revival of brain function is impossible. This is known as brain-stem
death. The brain-stem is an important part of the brain that carries out all bodily functions.
The patient's pulse can still be felt and the patient shows signs of life but only because of the fact
that person is put on a ventilator that supplies oxygen to the person's body. The heart and other
organs can continue functioning for a few hours to a few days and this is when organ donation can
take place.
Organs are never harvested at the cost of a person's life. The doctors (usually a neurologist) carefully
examine the patient and conduct an array of tests before declaring a person as brain-dead, at
multiple times.
CONTACTING NGOS LIKE DONATE LIFE
As the awareness for organ donation is very low in India, there is a need for NGOs like Donate Life to
help educate and make people aware about organ donation and convince the relatives to donate the
organs of their family member. In Surat, doctors have fully supported the cause of organ donation.
CONSENT
As the person is dead, the consent of his/ her next of kin or family members is to be obtained to take
the organs for donation. Even if the person in his/her lifetime explicitly stated that the organs should
be donated, the process cannot take place without the consent of the family members.
The concept of consent has been explicitly defined by the Transplantation Of Human Organs Act,
1994. In case of the donation for an unclaimed body/a person dying without any relatives, the
consent for organ donation can be given by a person-in-charge of the management of the hospital,
after 48 hours of a person being declared as brain-dead.
RECOVERY & TRANSFER OF ORGANS FOR DONATION
After the consent has been explicitly obtained, a team of doctors, usually from the hospital that
currently has a patient in-need of the organs, come to harvest the organs from the body of the
brain-dead patient. What organs can be donated and what cannot be is dependent on the condition
and illness of the patient. Consent has to be obtained for each and every organ that is to be
harvested from the patient's body.
Once the organs are harvested from the body of a patient, they are to be taken to another patient
who is need of those organs. Sometimes, the recipient and donor of the organs are in the same
hospital, sometimes they are not even in the same city. Ensuring timely transfer of organs is
extremely important.
TRANSPLANTATION
The recipient who matches with the donor's body specifics in donated the organ(s) by performing a
transplant as soon as possible. The sooner the transplant is done, the higher are the chances of the
organ adapting to the recipient's body. The cost of the process of organ donation is not borne by the
recipient's family and nor is the donor paid any money for the donation.
STORAGE
Some organs are stored for a while before a transplant is performed. Also, tissues like bones can
stay out of the human body for 5 years, so tissues are stored at tissue banks.
Each organ is flushed free of blood after removal from the patient's body with a specially prepared
ice-cold preservation solution that contains electrolytes and nutrients. The organs are then placed
in sterile containers, packaged in wet ice, and transported to the recipient's transplant center.
Many people have benefited from the donated organs in India so far, as many stand waiting for an
organ transplant.
28 29

LEGAL SCENARIO
‘Earth Needs Your Organs More Than Heaven’
The entire process of organ donation is governed by the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994
and the Transplantation of Human Organs Rules, 1995 and their subsequent amendments - the last
for the Act being in 2011 and for the rules being in 2015.
The Act received the assent of the President on 8th July, 1994 with an objective to provide for the
‘regulation of removal, storage and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes and
for the prevention of commercial dealings in human organs and for matters connected therewith or
incidental thereto’.
The matters related to health fall on the State List in India, so every state in India has to adopt this
Act by passing a resolution.
Let’s better understand the law pertaining to organ donation in India, in layman’s terms.
A person is capable of giving consent to organ donation only if he/she is above 18 years of age. If
he/she is a minor, guardians or parents can consent to donating their organs.
The buying and selling of organs are prohibited under the law. If one is convicted of the offence, one
can be sent to upto 10 years imprisonment and be asked to pay a fine of upto ₹20lakhs (was 5 years
and ₹10,000 when the Act commenced). Also, under Section 370 of The Indian Penal Code, a person
who does forced removal or organs (without consent) is liable to be sentenced to jail for 7-10 years
and a fine.
A person who intends to donate organs after his death can in writing and in the presence of two
witnesses, state his wish to do so. After his death, his wish can be carried out.
A competent doctor must certify a personas brain-dead, the process of which is given in Form 10 of
the Act. This death has to be certified by:
‘(i) the registered medical practitioner in charge of the hospital in which brain-stem death has
occurred;
(ii) an independent registered medical practitioner, being a specialist, to be nominated by the
registered medical practitioner specified in clause (i), from the panel of names approved by the
Appropriate authority;
(iii) a neurologist or a neurosurgeon to be nominated by the registered medical practitioner
specified in clause (i), from the panel of names approved by the Appropriate Authority; and
(iv) the registered medical practitioner treating the person whose brain-stem death has occurred.’
This has to be done twice within 6 hours.
Consent of the family members (next of kin) has to be obtained to retrieve organs from a brain-dead
person. In case of an unclaimed body, if it is not claimed for 48 hours after death, the consent to
donate organs can be given by the person-in-charge of the hospital or on his behalf by his employee.
If the body of a person is to be sent for post-mortem, then organs for the purpose of donation can be
harvested before the process begins if the organs are in no way related to the reason for the
post-mortem.
Any hospital that is to be undertake the process of organ donation has to be registered under the
Act. Every hospital has to have a ‘certificate of registration’ by the appropriate state authority. They
must also inform in writing to Human Organ Retrieval Centre about the organ transplantation.
A tissue bank that stores tissues (that include heart valves, bones etc.) also has to be registered
under The Act.
A registry is maintained by the central government of the donors and the recipients.
There is National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant
Organisation (ROTTO) and State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), set up under
the Act. The function of these is to act as the apex centre for activities of coordination and networking
for procurement and distribution of Organs and Tissues and registry, along with setting policies
and creating awareness.
There are qualification listed for the doctors in the Act. For different organs, the qualifications and
experience vary as per the law.
There are a total of 21 forms that deal with consent, death certification, registration etc. in the Act.
30 31

NEED FOR ORGAN DONATION IN INDIA
‘Life Is A Gift, Give One Too’
Numbers speak louder than anything. These alarming statistics about the situation of organ
donation will make you understand the need for organ donation in India.
Approximately 5 lakh people die every year due to non-availability of organs!
Imagine the time lakhs of people face when they are only waiting for death. Every day, they wish for
an organ to be available that can save their lives. But that never happens. Feel their pain.
One person dies of kidney failure every 5 minutes, putting the yearly death due to kidney failures over
1,00,000!
The number of prospective recipients are far greater than the number of donors!
India’s ODR rate is just 0.34!
India’s Organ Donation Rate (ODR) is a very low 0.34. Which means that per million people in India,
only 0.5 people donate their organs. When we compare it to the world - 36 persons per million of
population donated organs in Spain in 2014, 35 donated in Croatia, 27.02 donated in the United States.
Tamil Nadu is considered to be the organ donation capital of India because of its high organ donation
rate. Out of the total number of cadaveric donors in India, the highest were from Tamil Nadu. The
state accounted for roughly 25% of the total donors in India. The ODR of Kerala and Tamil Nadu has
also been high around 2.5.
The approximate number of brain-deaths in India is around 1.5lakh - if every patient
donated their organs, a large number of people could be solved.
There has to be willingness to donate - there are so many numbers of brain-death that happen in
India. However the number of donors are drastically less.
ORGAN
Kidney
Liver
Heart
Cornea
NO. OF PEOPLE
NEEDING ORGANS
NO. OF ORGAN
TRANSPLANTS
PERCENTAGE
2,00,000 4000 2%
1,00,000 500 0.5%
50,000 50 0.1%
1,00,000 25000 25%
More than 50% of the family members either refuse to donate the organs or are not
aware about organ donation in India:
Even if family members of a brain-dead patient are made aware about organ donation they will
refuse to donate organs due to various mindsets and myths. Sometimes, even if the brain-dead
patient in his lifetime wants to donate organs, the lack of communication between the family
members and transplant institute gives rise to hurdles.
Most patients suffering from organ failure live quantity life instead of quality life.
For instance, people suffering from kidney failure have to be on dialysis. That is when they live a
‘quantity life’, suffering from pain and counting their days. While once they get a transplant, their life
becomes a ‘quality life’. There is a need for the latter to happen more than the former.
Alarmingly, these statistics do not improve at a faster rate year after year. But the need for the
people who need organs keep increasing due to unhealthy lifestyles and increasing stress levels.
Thousands of people are added to the wait list every year.
There are only 301 hospitals in India that can undertake organ transplants, out of
which only 148 are registered with NOTTO!
There is only one hospital per 43 lakh people in India to handle organ donation and transplantation!
It is next to impossible for one hospital to handle the needs of such a large number of people.
Also, the population in India is increasing with geometric progression but the facilities are not! Can
one imagine the situation for organ donation after 10 years if concrete steps are not taken
immediately?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only about 0.01 percent in India
donate their organs after death, while in Western countries around 70-80 percent of
people pledge their organs.
When compared to other countries in the world, India has a long way to go. But these statistics show
that having a high ODR is possible with the right conviction and awareness, along with training
programmes for transplant personnel.
In India there a belief that we are living in ‘kalyug’ where no one does anything for
another without vested interests.
Organ donation busts the myth that humanity is extinct. Along with the physical needs of India as a
nation, there is a very strong mental need of trust and faith in fellow humans. Organ donation,
inspires and many a times, rekindles the faith of humans in one another. This one of the most primary
needs of organ donation.
32 33

MAJOR HURDLES IN ORGAN DONATION
‘Pass On Your Life’
INFRASTRUCTURE
India lacks in proper infrastructure to transport organs and more importantly, train those
who have to harvest, store and transfer organs. Very few hospitals are registered to
conduct the process of organ transplantation.
Ventilators are crucial to keep the oxygen supply for brain-dead patients working, but not
every hospital is equipped with those. The basic infrastructure to conduct the entire
process smoothly is absent.
Also since vital organs can be retrieved at only at hospitals and not at homes, the right
infrastructure is essential.
FEAR
There are two kinds of fears in the minds of the people in India. One is mental, which
believes that donating organ will condemn the person to hell. And another is that donating
organs will cause immense pain. Both are blatantly wrong.
It is has been a common school of thought across all religions that helping people is
helping God and thus a path to heaven. Organ donation is a help - one that the other person
will remember for life. Thus, going to hell is completely out of question.
The second fear of physical pain can also be dealt with. Once a person is declared
brain-dead, they do not feel pain. Organs are harvested only after proper certification of
death. Some also have a fear of organ rejection after transplantation.
There is also a fear of disfigurement of boy after organs are retrieved. But the truth is that
there is no disfigurement. Organs are retrieved with respect and the body is stitched how
it is after a surgery.
IGNORANCE
Until something drastic doesn't happen to our own family members we do not bother to
think about noble causes to help others. We also refuse to educate ourselves and keep
up-to-date with what's happening today. Ignorance on the part of the people is one of the
major hurdles that does not let the cause of organ donation spread.
LACK OF AWARENESS
Not everyone reads or is aware of the condition of those who die due to non-availability of
organs. There aren't proper awareness programs that can draw the attention of the people.
Even though the situation is better than what it was 10 years ago, it still has not reached the
optimal level.
Even for those who are willing to donate organs, do not know how to do it. They don't know
how to pledge. The efforts by NGOs such as Donate Life has been helpful but more support
needs to be extended to such NGOs.
LACK OF PUBLIC-SPIRIT
Out of the 100% of the Indian population, barely 10% think about the public good and indulge
into causes of public welfare. The idea of charity is limited only till donating money in India.
Donating organs is a far-fetched reality for most.
LACK OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES
Like doctors and nurses need to be trained before they take up a profession, those who
transport organs and oversee the entire process should also be trained. The presence of
proper training programmers could facilitate the process of organ donation and make it
smoother and swifter.
INCREASING POPULATION, DECREASING HEALTH
With the increasing population in India's metro cities (where most of the registered hospitals
are located), there is an ever-increasing traffic that is getting worse day after day.
Transporting organs through this traffic is a huge challenge. Even creating of a green corridor
might not be possible in a bottle-neck traffic route, during the peak hours.
Also, with the high-stress levels and unhealthy lifestyles that lead to various health
complications, the number of people who undergo organ failure are increasing which leads to
a longer, waiting list. But on the other hand, the number of people who are willing to donate
organs are not increasing.
34 35

WHY YOU SHOULD DONATE ORGANS
‘Anyone Can Be An Organ Donor’
Because you can!
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
The very first reason as to why you should donate organs is simply because you can. Your
organs are of no use to you after you pass away. While they might change the life of the
recipient to a complete 360 degrees.
Donate simply because you can. Not all good things need a reason.
Heaven doesn’t need your organs, Earth does
Your organs can be a life-changing for a person who is fighting with death. You won't need
your organs in heaven but there are many who would live with your organs on Earth.
You wouldn’t be living, but will still be alive
To keep living in someone else, even after you have died.
“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a
flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.”
- Unknown
Immortality is a collective wish for humankind. Now it is possible. Donate your organs and
live in someone's else' body. How beautiful would it be to be useful to someone even when
you are not in this world anymore?
All religions support the noble cause of organ donation.
“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
- Mother Teresa
There is no religion in the world that does not support the cause of helping others. The
importance of helping and sacrificing is emphasized in every religion. This is the greatest
sacrifice you can make.
For instance, the Bhagavad Gita, in Chapter 3, Verse 16, it is written :
‘those who do not accept their responsibility in the cycle of sacrifice established by the
Vedas are sinful. They live only for the delight of their senses; indeed their lives are in vain'.
Choosing quality life over quantity life
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
- Winston S. Churchill
By donating an organ to someone who is suffering from organ failure, you are not only
freeing them from pain but are also helping them live a quality life. People with kidney
failures have to constantly be on dialysis which leads to quantity life that is filled with pain
and struggles. As soon as the person undergoes a kidney transplant, their life is renewed
with new energy and they begin living a quality life.
Your once choice of helping by donating your organs carries a much bigger weight than you
can imagine.
India needs it - thousands of people die only while waiting.
“It is good to be blessed. It’s better to be a blessing”
- Unknown
No one should die a death while waiting for an organ to be donated that would match their
body's parameters. This kind of death is very drastic. The basic humanity in a person will
make them pledge their organs for donation because India needs to have a higher ODR.
Thousands of people die every year because they do not get an organ in time. A country is
made by its people and the concern they show towards each other.
Don’t wait for someone close to you to die to realise the importance
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have
made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
- Nelson Mandela
There are various precedents set that show that we realise the threat or importance of
something only and only after it happens to someone who is close to us. We refuse to
acknowledge it until then, we don't even care.
Don't wait to face the grotesque reality after someone close to faces this issue. It will be too
late then. Pledge your organs today.
36 37

Give a priceless gift
“Plant flowers in others’ gardens and your life becomes a bouquet!”
- Unknown
Can there be a better gift than the gift of life? You not only give a gift to the person who would
receive your organs, but you also give a gift to their family, friends and everyone who is
fortunate to have them in their life. Have you ever thought that what would happen if the
person who needs an organ to survive would be the sole bread-winner of the family? What
after him? What will his/her family do? Think about it.
The chance of being God-like
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
- Nelson Henderson
YOU WILL DEFINITELY BRING
ABOUT A CHANGE IN THE WORLD.
Out of the total number of organs donated in the world,
34% comes from Spain, 26% comes from USA,
15% comes from Sweden,
13% comes from U.K and only 0.5% comes from India.
Since our childhood, we have been hearing that life and death is in the hands of God. We can
not decide when to be born and when to die. But in the case of organ donation, you can be
like a God for a person who would have otherwise died, without your organs.
Imagine the joy and the gratitude that your family would feel after your organs help save a
life!
Save upto 8 lives!
“The great use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.”
- William James
The organs donated by one person can save the lives of 7-8 people! That is 8 times the joy and
8 new lives! If every brain-dead person donates their organs, the problem of organ scarcity
will be solved to a very large extent. The smile of the faces of those 8 people will be worth a
lot more than you would have earned in your lifetime.
Be a light for others to follow - bring about change.
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not
be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
- Buddha
How many times in our lives have we heard about people who have made history simply by
being leaders? You have the chance to lead your own organ donation revolution. Tell your
family and friends and form a chain. You will definitely bring about a change in the world.
Out of the total number of organs donated in the world, 34% comes from Spain, 26% comes
from USA, 15% comes from Sweden, 13% comes from U.K and only 0.5% comes from India.
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Spain
USA Sweden India
38 39

ROLE OF DONATE LIFE
‘Someone, somewhere is always in need of help’
Donate Life with the support from hospitals, doctors, Surat civil hospital, Surat police
department, Surat Airport Authority, Surat Municipal Corporation, press and media and our
volunteers has made an impact in the lives of many souls, giving them a new lease of life.
In 2017, Surat achieved a new milestone by donating the 62 kidney in one year. Surat was able to
give a new lease of life to 127 persons across the country by transplantation of 9 heart, 52 kidney,
28 liver, 2 pancreas and 38 eyes was done through the efforts of Donate Life.
Donate Life has and is doing wide-range of efforts to spread awareness about organ donation
and in making the process smoother. This is what we do:
Donate Life bears medical expenses for:
Keeping brain-dead patient in good condition before Cadaver Organ Donation can take place.
We ensure that the blood pressure of the patient is maintained.
Different tests such as RFT, LFT, 2DECO and angiography to know quality of the organs.
Transportation expenses of cadaver donor’s dead body from one city to anywhere in India.
Education expense of children of cadaver donor in cases where the donor was the only earning
member of the family.
We create 360-degree awareness through:
Organising talk shows in schools & colleges
Conducting seminars & exhibitions to create more awareness
Stage street plays to attract public attention
Spreading awareness during various festivals throughout the year
Walkathons for the cause of organ donation
We request various spiritual leaders to help spread awareness about organ donation to their
followers.
We use mediums of radio, television and all kinds of media to promote awareness for the noble
cause of organ donation
We have educated more than 9 lakh people about cadaver organ donation.
We play the role of a bridge between organ donor and recipient.
We do counselling of brain-dead patient’s family and request them to
understand the importance of organ donation.
Also, we network with organ procuring organisations in Gujarat.
(IKDRC-Ahmedabad, ROTTO(Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation -
Mumbai & NOTTO (National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation).
Donate Life felicitates the organ donors’ family members through the hands of
spiritual leaders and dignitaries.
In Gujarat we are the pioneers for the following:
The first ever intercity Cadaver Kidney Transfer and Transplant from Surat to IKDRC,
Ahmedabad in January, 2006.
The first ever interstate Cadaver Liver transfer and transplant from Surat, Gujarat to
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh was done in February, 2006.
The first ever Inter State Heart transfer and transplant in Western India was done from Surat,
Gujarat to Mumbai, Maharashtra in Fortis Hospital in December, 2015.
The first ever inter state heart transfer and transplant was done from Surat, Gujarat to
Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s Fortis Malhar Hospital in March 2017 and Indore, Madhya Pradesh’s CHL
Hospital in August 2017.
Also :
The first ever foreigner Heart Transplant in Western India was done from Surat, Gujarat to
Mumbai, Maharashtra in Fortis Hospital in April, 2017.
The first ever Heart Transfer from South Gujarat and Transplant in CIMS Hospital, Ahmedabad
was done from Surat in June, 2017.
First time in Gujarat, bones were procured from brain dead patients through the initiative of
Donate Life.
Till December 2017, 45% Cadaveric kidney and liver transplant in Institute of Kidney Disease
and Research Center (IKDRC) Ahmedabad, Gujarat and 20% Heart Transplant in Fortis
Hospital, Mumbai is done by persuasion and procurement of Cadaver Organ Donation by
Donate Life. Also, out of the four heart transplants that have taken place at Ahmedabad's
CIMS hospital, two have been donated from Surat through Donate Life.
40 41

WHY DO WE DO SUCH ACTIVITIES?
There is no one to bridge the gap between organ donors and organ transplant institute as no one
shows interest. Hospitals, Trauma Centres and Transplantation Institutes are not interested to
play an active role as they might be perceived as interested parties. Also, due to the trauma and
also due to lack of awareness the family members of the brain-dead patient don’t know and think
about organ donation.
This is the point of time when Donate Life steps in and explains the importance to the family
members of the patients and how important it is to donate the person's organs. Once we convince
them, the matter is handed over to the transplantation institute. We assist in all kinds of help that
is needed to successfully conduct organ transplantation and spread smiles on the face of many.
Donate Life also takes the responsibility of the education of the children of brain-dead patients
who belong to economically weaker sections of the society. Also, Donate Life does not accept any
kind of financial donation from the families of those who are the recipients of organs.
TILL DATE WE HAVE GIVEN A NEW LEASE OF LIFE TO MORE THAN
543 PEOPLE ACROSS INDIA & THE GLOBE
Years
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Till 21st
Dec-2017
Total
No of
Cadaver
7
5
10
6
11
6
2
8
6
17
27
31
136
Cadaver
Kidney
Donation
14
10
20
12
22
12
4
16
12
34
54
Cadaver
Kidney
Transplanted
in Persons
13
9
18
10
20
11
4
14
11
25
47
52
234
Cadaver
Liver
Donation
2
0
4
6
1
4
2
5
6
16
27
Cadaver
Liver
Transplanted
in Persons
2
0
4
6
1
4
2
5
6
12
24
28
94
Pancreases
Transplant
Heart
Transplant
62
272
29
102
2
6
9
16
Which has given New Life & Vision to 543 persons across the country & globe.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
6
Cornea
14
10
16
2
8
8
4
16
10
24
46
38
196
Bones
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
4
We thank the following for lending us support in our noble cause:
- The donors’ families who have believed in our motto ‘let’s live even after death through organ
donation’
- The doctors and hospitals who have co-operated and understood the need for organ donation
- For the support from Government Medical College, Nursing Association
- Support from Surat Municipal Corporation for undertaking the expenses for the transfer of dead
bodies, which was borne by us before
- Support from the Surat City Police for green corridor notification & for letter from the
Commissioner Of Police of Surat that allows us to carry out our work hassle-free and support from
Airport Authority Of Surat for for providing night landing and take-off facilities
- Support from various media and news outlets for supporting our cause of organ donation
- Support from the volunteers of Donate Life who made this possible
Donate Life’s Future Plans:
To set up Skin, Bone & Tissue Bank which will benefit:
A. Patients suffering from 80% burning of skin
B. Patient suffering from cancer & major fracture
C. Small children suffering from problem of heart valves

FIRST KIDNEY, LIVER AND HEART
DONOR FROM SURAT
Donate Life has helped many people in the past. Till date, we have helped over 543 people across the
globe.
The most important people in the process of organ donation are the donors. They are the unsung
heroes. Here are some donors who have made organ donation a reality.
We honour them.
(These are only a few names - there are a lot many donors, about whom you can read on Donate
Life’s website).
LATE MR. JAGDISHBHAI SHAH - first kidney donor from Surat
On January 12, 2006, Mr. Mandlewala received a call from Surat's Ashaktaashram Hospital. He rushed
to the hospital without wasting even a single moment. The hospital's neurosurgeon, Dr.Ashok Patel
had declared a patient named Jagdishbhai Shah as brain-dead. Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala then
contacted Dr. Vatsa Patel who knew about the process of organ donation.
Dr. Vatsa Patel contacted Dr. H.L.Trivedi who then immediately sent Dr. Pranjal Modi and his team to
collect Jagdishbhai's kidney. This was the very first time in Gujarat that an inter-city kidney donation
from Surat to Ahmedabad had happened. Jagdishbhai's kidney gave a new lease of life to two people
- one was from Rajkot and another in Ahmedabad.
Jagdishbhai Shah, served as an inspiration for Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala as this was the very first
success story that happened due to his efforts. Jagdishbhai's family also played a great role in giving
consent and placing trust in him.
LATE MR. RAJU GOHIL - first liver and kidney donor from Surat
On February 8, 2006, Mr. Mandlewala received a call from Surat's SMIMER hospital where a
23-year-old Raju Gohil was declared brain-dead by the doctor. Mr. Mandlewala convinced Raju's
father, Chimanbhai Gohil to donate his kidney and his father agreed. That is when gastroenterologist,
Dr. Rajiv Mehta called, Mr. Mandlewala and said that if he could convince Raju's father to donate his
liver as well then his patient will get a new lease of life. When, Mr. Mandlewala spoke to Raju's father,
the response that Chimanbhai gave was heart-wrenching. Chimanbhai said, "Donate all organs of
my son that can help someone. I have no problem if someone else gets a new lease of life because
of his organs. I will think that my son is still alive in someone else."
While Raju's kidney and liver were donated, there was no facility in Gujarat to transplant a liver. That
is when a team of doctors lead by Dr. Subbarao of Global Hospital, in Hyderabad, came down and
collected Raju's liver and also transplanted it in another patient who was in dire need of it. This was
the first ever inter-state liver donation from Surat, Gujarat.
LATE MR. JAGDISH PATEL - first heart, kidney and liver donor from Surat
This was in 2015, when Mr. Jagdish Patel's heart was transplanted into the body of Mr. Rajan Desai in
Mumbai. An employee for 52 years of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. working in Mumbai, never thought
he will get a new heart in his body. This was the first ever inter-state (Surat to Mumbai) green
corridor created for an organ transplant. Donate Life made it possible after the family members of
Mr. Patel agreed to donate his organs. In only 1 hour and 39 minutes the heart was transferred from
Mahavir Trauma Hospital, Surat to Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai and successfully transplanted.
Chief Cardiac Surgeon Dr.Anvay Mule at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai played a very important
role in this. Mr. Patel's kidney and liver were received by Dr.Pranjal Modi from Institute of Kidney
Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC), Ahmedabad.
LATE MASTER SOMNATH SHAH - first young donor from Surat & Western India too
A 14-month-old Somnath Shah, slipped from the ladder while playing at home with his elder sister
Kusum. Somnath belonged to Mubarakpur village in Siwan district of Bihar. His father Sunil had
moved to Surat a few months back and was working as a supervisor in a power-loom factory in
Udhna, Surat. His CT scan revealed brain haemorrhage and a fractured skull. He was declared brain
dead at Surat's New Civil Hospital. The hospital authorities then contacted Donate Life. Donate Life
counselled his parents to donate his organs and they agreed.
His heart was transplanted into the body of a three-year-old Mumbai girl, Aradhya Mule. His kidneys
helped a 15-year-old boy from Deesa in Banaskantha district.
Somnath Shah became Western India’s youngest donor and still lives on in the bodies of others.
LATE MISS DIZA GOLWALA - first youngest kidney & liver donor girl from Surat
Diza Urvish Golwala, 3.5 years old girl was studying in playgroup at Presidency School in Surat. She
had a convulsion after puking and she was admitted to Nikhil Children Hospital. There Diza fainted
was transferred to Neo Plus I.C.U. She was put on the ventilator due to her inability to breathe. Then
it was diagnosed that her small brain was damaged due to waterlogging. Few hours on the same day,
she was declared brain-dead.
President of Donate Life Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala about Diza's brain death. The team of Donate Life
counselled Diza's family members about the importance of organ donation. On getting consent from
Diza's family members, Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala contacted Dr. Pranjal Modi from Institute of Kidney
Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC), Ahmedabad to procure the donation of kidney and liver. Dr.
Praful Shiroya from Lokdrashti Eye Bank accepted the donation of eyes.
One of the kidneys received as donation was transplanted into Gokulesh Mohanbhai Odedara, a
resident of Porbandar (Age: 8 years) and the other kidney was transplanted into Ritika Kamleshbhai
Desai (Age: 6), whereas the liver donated by Diza was transplanted into Shrey Patel (Age: 5 years), a
resident of Visnagar.
44 45

LATE MR. NAVNEET CHAUDHARY - first cadaver donor from a government hospital in
Surat
Mr. Navneet Chaudhary met with an accident 29th May 2017 while he was returning to his home from
Vankal to Lavet in the evening. He was transferred to P.P.Savani Hospital at Surat. He had a blood clot
in the brain and thus was shifted to New Civil Hospital where he was declared brain dead.
After Donate Life was contacted and the family members of Mr. Chaudhary were convinced, a team
of doctors from Institute of Kidney & Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC), Ahmedabad and CIMS
hospital, Ahmedabad came to collect the organs.
Due to the creation of a green corridor, the heart reached Ahmedabad's CIMS hospital in 80 minutes
- covering a distance of 277kms. 23-year-old Kalpesh Jaysukhbhai Katrodia received the heart. Out
of two donated kidneys, one was transplanted into Tilak Shah, age 14 living in Ahmedabad and
another kidney was transplanted into Punit Jalan, age 31 living in Surat. The liver was transplanted
into Valabhai Rathod, age 48 living in Morbi. The transplantation of both kidney and liver was done at
IKDRC, Ahmedabad.
LATE MR. DHANSUKH MITTHALBHAI PATEL - first bone donor from Gujarat
58-year-old Mr. Dhansukh Patel, a resident of Dungri village, Mahuva taluka had been in an accident
when a motorcycle hit him in the outskirts of Dungri Village on May 3, 2016. The doctors could not
save him even after he was operated. His condition deteriorated and he passed away. He was first
admitted to a hospital based in Bardoli and later taken to Asutosh Multi-speciality hospital in Surat.
When Donate Life was contacted by the hospital authorities, his family members were convinced to
donate his organs. Along with his kidney, eyes and liver, his thigh bones and his ribs were donated to
Asutosh hospital's bone bank. His family members thought that even though they lost him, if his
organs could give a better life to someone else, they would be happy.
Mr. Dhansukh Patel became the very first bone donor of Gujarat and even after his death, continues
to set an example for others to follow.
46 47

FEELINGS OF ORGAN RECIPIENTS
"I am extremely thankful to Donate Life. Because of this organisation that Sohelbhai
could undergo a heart transplant. His life has changed and he is feeling very happy. I
request the people to come forward to donate organs so many others like Sohelbhai
may get a second birth. If we help someone, that help will come back to us someday
when we need it. Donate Life under the leadership of Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala is a doing
a great job, I am very grateful to them because without this organisation we would
never know that a heart transplant was possible."
- Family member of heart recipient Mr. Sohel Vohra
"I was going through a lot of trouble, I used to vomit every day. I tried many hospitals
but I couldn't get treated anywhere. Then the doctors at Fortis Hospital said that I
would need a heart transplant. My mother cried a lot and called my father who said
that now everything will happen through God’s wish. The first two hearts I got had
some problems but then a boy gave me the gift of life and his heart was successfully
transplanted into my body. I am going to be eternally grateful to him and his parents…I
say thank you, thank you, thank you to him. My heart came from Surat via air and now
I am able to walk - I even climbed up one floor! I take the blessings of Mr. Nilesh
Mandlewala that he made this possible for me…thank you, thank you, thank you."
- Mr. Rahul Karad, heart recipient
48 49

"I was suffering since 2011…I used to drink only 1 litre of water for four years and had a
lot of trouble walking. I am extremely grateful to Donate Life NGO and Mr. Nilesh
Mandlewala and to Jagdishbhai Patel from Surat who donated his heart to me. I want
to devote a lot of time for this cause of organ donation and I request other people to
also donate their organs. This would not have been possible without the efforts of
Donate Life. It is miracle! Now I am living a normal life."
- Mr. Rajan Desai, heart recipient
"My daughter got a new life because of a heart that came from Surat. She is now living
a normal life. Donate Life is next to God for us…even if we wash their feet and drink
the water, it will be less. Thank you so much, may God give them a lot of strength and
make them successful in all their future endeavours."
- Sharad Anturekar, heart recipient Ravina's father
"I got to know about Donate Life and how the majority of organs were coming from
Gujarat. I was following their awareness events for some time. Recently, my child got
the heart of a 14-month old baby and I have no words to thank the donor's parents and
Donate Life. They are God to me. I am speechless."
- Yogesh Mule, heart recipient Aradhya Mule's father
50 51

VIEWS OF DONOR S FAMILY & FRIENDS
"We are happy that we donated the kidney of my sister-in-law because we can still feel she
is alive as her organs are helping someone live. We feel that by donating her kidney we have
done a good thing. I appeal to the society to donate more and more organs."
- Mr. Ashok Dhola, donor's family member
"I donated the organs of my wife…I thought that her organs are of no use to her now but they
will help someone else. My wife's kidney changed the life of a 17-year-old girl. Organ
donation is not a business, money is not taken or given by anyone. I trust Mr. Nilesh
Mandlewala and it is because of that I think that we should all come forward to donate
organs."
- Mr. Barkat Vadsariya, donor's family member
"We were convinced by Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala to donate organs and he was there with us
for the entire night. If you don't donate organs, they will turn to ashes, it's better to donate
and give someone a second birth."
- Mr. Bhupenda Vatnala, donor's family member
"Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala inspired and counselled me to donate the organs of my son. I felt
that even though my son was going to heaven, his organs could make life better for those on
Earth. I hope that every person joins the cause of organ donation to give a new life. I feel that
the work that is done by Mr. Mandlewala and Donate Life is very deep and important."
- Mr. Jashvant Patel, donor's family member
"Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala counselled me to donate the organs of my father who was put on
ventilator-support and declared brain-dead. I think that is a very noble thing where no
expenses are incurred by the donor and recipient. I and my family are very happy after
donating the organs of my father."
- Mr. Ketul Taratiya, donor's family member
"When we told our mother that our father was declared brain-dead and was put on
ventilator-support, she showed courage and said that it was the last wish of our father that
all of his organs should be donated. It is due to the efforts of Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala that it
was made possible. Today we feel that our father is alive in this world, through someone else.
I want to appeal to others to take the same path as my mother and create awareness about
organ donation."
- Mr. Ajay Vijay Shah, donor's family member
"My friend had been an accident in Valsad and was shifted to Surat as there was a lack of
neurosurgeon in Valsad. He was declared brain-dead. We obtained the consent of his wife for
organ donation via mobile as his family members were not here. Donate Life also helped us
to send the body of my friend back to his village. Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala was with us
continuously and helped us go through every procedure. I request people to join initiatives
like Donate Life for organ donation so that more people get a new life."
- Mr. Subbarao, donor P.V. Ramkrishna Rao's friend
52 53

VIEWS OF DIGNITARIES
VIEWS OF DIGNITARIES
"There is not a greater deed than the donation of an organ by one person
which saving the lives of many others. This organisation has saved many
lives so far. I have also told my family to donate my organs, when I pass away.
You need a strong heart to donate and I congratulate Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala,
the doctors in the hospitals and the brave organ donors along with their
families for participating in this life-saving cause."
- Mrs. Anandiben Patel, Former Chief Minister Of Gujarat
"I am very much impressed after hearing about Donate Life and it's efforts. I got to
know a lot of things for the first time and I appreciate the purity with which Mr.
Nilesh Mandlewala and his team are working for the cause of organ donation.
I am sure that this movement of Donate Life will bring positivity in the society."
- Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan,
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas
"It is such a beautiful thing that when we won't be there in this world, even
then our heart will beat in the body on someone else. We won't be living, but
we will still be alive. Nileshbhai has helped people across the country and
has become an inspiration - his role in this world is very valuable. All of us,
Indians have seeds of compassion in our hearts but it is Nileshbhai who is
helping those seeds grow into plants. It takes a lot of courage to go in front
of the family who has just lost their loved one and ask them to donate organs
- he has kept his respect second and the noble cause first. It is because of his
unparalleled dedication that there is a smile on the faces of so many people
in the country. We should join Nileshbhai in this initiative and make his
initiative even more powerful. Many many congratulations to him and his
team."
- Param Pujya Didi Maa Sadhvi Ritambharaji
"Donate Life is for the betterment of the future of the mankind, for giving the
gift of life to people. The team of Donate Life are doing a godly act of giving a
second life to the people on Earth. This is very big service to humanity. There
is awareness about blood donation in India but not enough for organ
donation due to a misunderstanding that if you donate your organs in this life,
you wouldn't get the organ in your next birth. This is not the truth. Donate your
organs, so even after you die, your heart can give life to someone else and
your eyes can see through someone else. My best wishes to Donate Life and
I hope that they continue their efforts in the future and keep serving people."
"Nileshbhai has a very different thinking. He is working hard to help those
who are dealing with organ failure and giving them a new lease of life - not
just to the patient but to their entire family. My blessings are with Nileshbhai
and wish that he lives very long. I also hope that he becomes a ray of hope for
the entire society. I request everyone to create awareness about the noble
cause of organ donation."
- Param Pujya Swami Ambrishanandji
- Yoga Guru, Baba Ramdev
"Donate life has come forward to start a new initiative - an initiative that is
here to fulfill Surat's needs. This need cannot be fulfilled only through money.
If a person has crores of rupees but does not get an organ donation on time,
then enjoying a good life would not be possible for him - the support for many
families will get snatched.
Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala, is working selflessly - he is not even a medical
student and this is not his subject but even then he has helped save lives and
families from going through loss and pain. It is because of him that many
people have got a new hope of life. I wish all the very best for the future
endeavours of Donate Life."
- C.R. Paatil, Member Of Parliament
"Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala gave a new identity to Surat and made it an example
for organ donation for the rest of the country. Today, in India, even if a person
wants to donate his heart, there is a lack of a mechanism. It is because of
people like him that the society and the country are functioning. Mr.
Nileshbhai is doing a very good job and is a selfless role model for us. Many
congratulations to him."
- Dr. Subhash Chandra, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
and Chairman, Essel Group & ZEE
"It is an angelic work what Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala and Donate Life are doing
in the field of organ donation. They are saving the lives of people. We
encourage and congratulate the entire team. We are ready to help the team
in every way possible in the society and in Gujarat. Once again, I congratulate
the entire team for how exemplary Surat has been for entire India."
-Mr. Purnesh Modi, MLA, Surat-West Gujarat & Former
President of BJP, Surat
54 55

VIEWS OF DIGNITARIES
VIEWS OF DIGNITARIES
"There is a huge difference in living for yourself and living for others. Mr.
Nilesh Mandlewala has taken up the hard work of living for others by being a
mediator between the donors and the recipients. It is not easy to convince
the family members of a patient to donate organs; I think when Mr.
Mandlewala would be going to create awareness among people, many would
be looking at him like he is their enemy. How difficult would it be for him to
continue his work in this noble cause in spite of all the hurdles. He is
spending a lot of personal resources for a very long time for this cause - and
I hope that he gets all the support he needs. My best wishes are with him and
his organisation."
- Mahendra Patel IAS, Ex Collector Of Surat
"First, Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala used to create awareness about organ
donation alone but now he has set up a trust named Donate Life to help
people. It is a very important and time-essential work to ensure that
the organs are transferred from the donor to the recipient, which Mr.
Mandlewala is doing very well. Mr. Mandlewala told me that we lack
awareness in India as compared to other countries in the world and
more than 2 lakh people are awaiting a kidney transplant. I urge you to
spread awareness and donate organs. I give my best wishes to the
entire team."
- Mr. Ashish Bhatia, IPS, current Add. DG (CID), Gandhinagar
and former Commissioner Of Police, Surat
"To be of help to someone else is considered to be the most important
value in our ancient religious texts. It is a huge thing to give the gift of
life to someone and when Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala & his teams are
working in that direction, selflessly, that increases the responsibility of
all of us towards the cause. When a man gets tired, he just needs a
support, a ray of hope - that is what we have to give to the world. This
initiative is the need of the day and we are all with Mr. Mandlewala and
his team in this initiative. I am proud to say that it is because of the
actions of people like him that we are able to maintain a balance in this
world. My heartfelt congratulations to him and his team."
-Daxesh Thakkar, Former Vice-Chancellor Of Veer Narmad
South Gujarat University
"I want to appreciate Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala's efforts for his hard work
without expecting anything in return. He is giving a new hope to those
who have given up. He patiently explains the need for organ donation to
the family members of a brain-dead patient and ensures that the
complete process of organ donation is done smoothly, whether it is day
or night without getting angry or irritated by all the obstacles he has to
go through. No matter how much appreciation we give to this initiative,
it will be less."
- Mrs. Gunjan Mishra, Chief Income Tax Commissioner,
Surat (2013-14)
"It is a very big noble cause what Donate Life is doing. Even today, organ
donation is a new thing in our country. We all should come forward to
contribute to it. The message you are sending will spread far and wide
and the society at large will benefit."
- Mr. V.M.Pargi, IPS, Former Special Commissioner Of Police
(Traffic & Crime), Surat
"For the first time I saw the enthusiasm in people to support the cause
of organ donation and this has been made possible by Mr. Nilesh
Mandlewala and his team. There is a huge gap between donors and
recipient and we are unable to much about it. If Mr. Mandlewala in
Surat can bridge the gap, why can't we do it across the country? I want
to thank Mr. Mandlewala for doing such commendable work."
- Dr. Vimal Bhandari, Director Of NOTTO
56 57

VIEWS OF DIGNITARIES
VIEWS OF DIGNITARIES
"Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala, who is himself an industrialist, took interest in
the topic of organ donation which was completely unknown to him. He
began his efforts in 2004 and later set up a trust in 2014 to create
awareness in the society. I urge you to pledge your organs, till you are
alive. Due to Mr. Mandlewala's efforts, even the government is
understanding the importance of organ donation and creating green
corridors to transfer organs in time. He has spread awareness through
various mediums like street programmes, celebrity programmes,
taught kids about organ donation etc. Such NGOs are needed today
because they are selfless. He spends the whole night and stands by the
donor's family in every single procedure until the cremation. He is a
strong pillar of support and guidance for the families of the donors and
his efforts eliminate fear from the minds of the people. Donate Life's
contribution is huge and I wish that Donate Life spreads their noble
initiative not just in Surat but across the country. My best wishes with
the organisation."
- Dr. Pranjal Modi, Professor & HOD -Transplantation
and Urology, IKDRC, Ahmedabad
"We have been inspired by Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala and Donate Life. 25%
of our donors have come from Surat and because of their efforts. I have
no words to appreciate the dedication and efforts that have been done
by Mr. Mandlewala. He helps the family of the organ donors in distress
and is always there for them and helps the family even for cremation.
Mr.Mandlewala also extends financial help to the families who are very
poor. Organisations like Donate Life are must in today's world."
"Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala has sent organs not just in cities of Gujarat but
in various places across India. Donate Life is setting an example for us
to follow. The more the activities of people like Mr. Mandlewala
increases, the more will be the awareness. It is an appeal to all of you
to join in the crusade to create awareness."
- Dr. Dhaval Naik, Chief Cardiac Surgeon & Heart-Transplant
Surgeon, CIMS Hospital, Ahmedabad
- Dr. Anvay Mulay, Chief Cardiac Surgeon,
Fortis Hospital, Mumbai
"Since many years we have seen the dedication of Mr. Nilesh
Mandlewala who makes himself available 24x7 for the counselling of
the family members of a brain-dead patient. Now with Donate Life,
trust, this initiative will make a much larger impact. I promise my
support to Donate Life on behalf of all neurologists for this noble cause
of organ donation."
"2006 was when I met Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala. We went to Pardi
hospital at 2 a.m in the night to declare a patient brain-dead. We have
gone to various places in Gujarat to declare a person brain-dead,
receiving support from all doctors for the cause of organ donation. I
want to request everyone that whenever you get to know about a
brain-dead patient near you, then please take a step forward to create
awareness about organ donation and contact Donate Life. The time has
come."
- Neurosurgeon, Dr. Ashok Patel
- Neurophysician, Dr. Anirudha Apte
"Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala has been working as a one-man army.
Though he is a non-medico but his knowledge about organ donation
is exemplary. He does effective counselling of the family members
of the organ donor and he ensures that proper harvesting is done.
Irrespective of their caste, creed or sex, organs have been received
by recipients and a new lease of life is given to them. I am sure that
whatever Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala has done is extraordinary and it
requires special guts and special untiring efforts. His efforts should
be appreciated. This is a service to mankind."
- Mr. Kamlesh Yagnik, President, The Southern Gujarat
Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (2013-2014)
58 59

AWARDS AND APPRECIATION
AWARDS AND APPRECIATION
When our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was
the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had in a letter
addressed to Donate Life’s founder, Mr. Nilesh
Mandlewala conveyed his heartfelt blessings for
the noble work of saving other’s lives.
Ex- Chief Minister of Gujarat, Smt.
Anandiben Patel had also extended her
support and appreciation for Donate Life.
Honored with Lifetime Achievement
Award at the hands of Mayor Joe Hogset
on 14th August, 2016 in Indianapolis, USA.
Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani,
felicitated Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala at CIMS
hospital, Ahmedabad in January 2018 for creating
awareness for the noble cause of organ donation.
Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala was felicitated by
the Governor Of Gujarat, Shri Navalkishore
Sharma in June 2008 for her contribution to
the cause of organ donation.
Honored by Shri Pranab Mukherjee for
meritorious services to The Southern
Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry
for 2009-10.
60 61

AWARDS AND APPRECIATION
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about organ donation that you will find
helpful to study.
Who can donate?
Anyone can donate. Which organs can be donated depends on the medical
condition of the patient.
Is there disfigurement during organ donation?
The donor's body is not disfigured. Only a small-cut is made like during a surgery.
Honored with ‘Maharishi Dadhichee Sewa Sanman’ at IKDRC,
Ahmedabad through the hands of Swami Sacchidanandji in
2009. Also, felicitated by the Honorable Mayor and Collector of
Surat city for receiving the award in 2009.
Mr. Mandlewala was also recognised in Dr. Subhash Chandra
show that airs on Zee News, for giving Surat a new identity as
the organ donor city. He was interviewed by Dr. Chandra about
his efforts and how he has dedicated his entire life to this noble
cause.
Mr. Mandlewala has been
felicitated on the 7th Organ
Donation Day in New Delhi.
Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala was
featured in popular Gujarat
magazine Chitralekha’s 67
years special issue as one
of the 51 prides of Gujarat
for his contribution in the
field of organ donation.
How can I donate organs?
You can pledge to donate your organs in your lifetime and also inform your family
members about the decision of organ donation. You can also, in writing state your
wish to donate your organs.
Who is a brain-dead patient?
A brain-dead person is a person whose brain-stem is no longer functioning and
where there is no scope for recovery. Brain-dead patients are kept on the support
of a ventilator.
Brain stem is an important part of the brain that sustains life. A brain stem dead
person is an unconscious, dependent patient, who cannot breathe on his own and
is breathing through a ventilator, even though one can feel his pulse, blood
pressure and other sign of life. The lack of functioning of the brain stem is a sign of
death and the rest of the body will eventually stop functioning even if the ventilator
is continued.
It is different between coma patients and brain dead individual. The coma patient is
not dead whereas brain stem death is the irreversible stage beyond coma, as the
person can either regain consciousness nor breathing capability. The heart can
continue to function due to a ventilator for a few hours to few days & it is during this
period that the organs can be retrieved after obtaining consent from the close
relatives. Organs are never taken at the cost of donor's life.
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What is the law that governs organ donation?
The Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 and it's future amendments - with
last being in 2011 along with The Transplantation of Human Organs Rules, 1995 and
it's future amendments, govern the organ transplantations that happen in India.
Do I have to pay to get an organ transplanted?
There are no fees for organ transplantation.
What is the central authority for organ donation in India?
NOTTO (National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation) is the central authority
for organ donation in India.
Are organs sold?
Selling and buying of organs in strictly prohibited in India. It is a punishable offence
for which one can be sent to up to 10 years imprisonment and be asked to pay a fine
of up to ₹20lakhs (was 5 years and ₹10,000 when the Act commenced). Also, under
Section 370 of The Indian Penal Code, a person who does force removal or organs
(without consent) is liable to be sentenced to jail for 7-10 years and a fine.
What organs can be donated?
Life-saving organs such as a heart, kidney, pancreas, lungs, liver and intestines can
be donated. Tissues, such as bones, ligaments and tendons, are often needed, so
they can also be donated. Corneas, heart valves and skin may also be donated. For
tissues, a bank can be created.
How are organs stored?
Each organ is flushed free of blood after removal from the patient's body with a
specially prepared ice-cold preservation solution that contains electrolytes and
nutrients. The organs are then placed in sterile containers, packaged in wet ice, and
transported to the recipient's transplant centre.
Is donating organs prohibited by any religion?
All religions support organ donations as it a kind of help that we extend to our
fellow humans. Charity is not prohibited by any religion.
Is it true that organ donors do not get the same medical care as others?
No, this is a myth. All patients are given the same level of medical treatment, organ
donor or not.
How long after death can organs be donated?
These are the times for which different organs can stay out of the human body:
Lung - 4 to 6 hours
Heart - 4 to 6 hours
Liver - 24 hours
Pancreas - 24 hours
Kidney - 72 hours
Cornea - 14days
Bones - 5 years
Skin - 5 years
Heart Valves - 10 years
Whose consent is taken after my death to get my organs donated?
Your next of kin or family is asked to give consent to donate your organs. This is a
norm in India.
Who will receive the donated organs?
There are a few steps for the receiving of organs that are as below:
Name of the recipient has to be registered as a cadaver organ receiver in organ
transplant institute.
There is a committee formed who takes appropriate decision in the selection of the
recipient based on a few criteria such as age, employed or unemployed, time since
dialysis commenced, family donor, any previous transplants etc.
The organs will be transplanted into those patients who need them most urgently.
Recipient selection is based on medical criteria like blood group, the result of
cross-matching and body size. Social and financial status is never a criterion in
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selecting recipients.
Can someone jump the waiting list if they are influential?
No, this is strictly prohibited in India. The criteria are pre-defined and it depends
upon the date of registration and medical condition.
What is directed donation?
Directed donation is when the family members of a cadaver donor request that the
organs are donated to a specific person in the family. However the decision to do
that or not lies with the Authorisation Committee set up under the THOA, 1994.
Are all hospitals equipped to carry out organ transplantation?
No, only those hospitals that have registered as per the law laid down by the THOA
can carry out the procedure of organ transplantation. Removal of organs without
authority attracts a penalty that may lead to permanent de-registration of the
hospital.
Who certifies a person as brain-dead?
As per the THOA, the following can declare a person as brain-dead:
i) the registered medical practitioner in charge of the hospital in which brain-stem
death has occurred;
(ii) an independent registered medical practitioner, being a specialist, to be
nominated by the registered medical practitioner specified in clause
(i), from the panel of names approved by the Appropriate authority;
(iii) a neurologist or a neurosurgeon to be nominated by the registered medical
practitioner specified in clause
(i), from the panel of names approved by the Appropriate Authority; and
(iv) the registered medical practitioner treating the person whose brain-stem
death has occurred.
Is there an age limit for donating your organs?
No, there is no age limit. The organs, at the time of retrieval are tested their for
health. However, those who are under 18 years of age, would need the consent of
their parent or guardian to donate their organs.
Can a person of unsound mind donate organs?
Yes. But in this case as well, the consent of the person's parents or guardians
would be required.
Can I be a donor if I have been rejected to donate blood?
Yes. There may be specific reasons why it has not been possible to donate blood,
such as having anaemia or had a blood transfusion or temporary health condition.
Sometimes a simple thing like a cold or medication that you are taking can prevent
you from donating blood.
What are the two kinds of waiting lists?
According to NOTTO, there are two types of waiting list; one is an urgent waiting list
and another one is a regular waiting list. Urgent listing of patients for cadaver
organ transplant is primarily based on medical criteria, i.e. patient needs organ on
urgent basis otherwise he/she may not survive.
The regular waiting list is also based on medical criteria and these criteria are
different for different organs. Like for kidney transplant, main criteria is time spent
on regular dialysis. Similarly, for other organs, criteria are different.
Can one their status on the waiting list for organ transplantation?
Yes, that system of the waiting list is very transparent. You can know your status.
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Can organs be removed after death, at home?
No, this is not possible. Only hospitals are equipped to handle organ transplants in
a faster and proper way. Time plays a very important role in the process of organ
transplantation.
What is National Registry?
According to NOTTO website, the National Registry is:
I - Organ Transplant Registry:
The Organ Transplant Registry shall include demographic data about the patient
waiting for transplant (Organ/hospital wise waiting list), donor (Living Donor
including Related Donor, Other than Near Related Donor, Swap Donors and
Deceased Donor), hospitals, follow up details of recipient and donor etc., and the
data shall be collected from all retrieval and transplant centers.
Data collection may preferably be through a web-based interface or paper
submission and the information shall be maintained both specific organ wise and
also in consolidated formats.
The hospital or Institution shall update its website regularly in respect of the total
number of the transplantations done in that hospital or institution along with a
reasonable detail of each transplant and the same data should be accessible for
compilation, analysis and further use by authorised persons of respective State
Governments and Central Government.
II - Organ Donation Registry:
The Organ Donation Registry shall include demographic information of donor (both
living and deceased), hospital, height and weight, occupation, primary cause of
death in case of deceased donor, associated medical illnesses, relevant laboratory
tests, donor maintenance details, driving license or any other document of
pledging donation, donation requested by whom, transplant coordinator, organs or
tissue retrieved, outcome of donated organ or tissue, details of recipient, etc.
III - Tissue Registry:
The Tissue Registry shall include demographic information on the tissue donor, site
of tissue retrieval or donation, primary cause of death in case of deceased donor,
donor maintenance details in case of brain stem dead donor, associated medical
illnesses, relevant laboratory tests, driving license or any other document pledging
donation, donation requested by whom, identity of counsellors, tissue(s) or organ(s)
retrieved, demographic data about the tissue recipient, hospital conducting
transplantation, transplant waiting list and priority list for critical patients, if these
exist, indication(s) for transplant, outcome of transplanted tissue, etc.
IV - Organ Donor Pledge Registry:
The National Organ Donor Register is a computerized database which records the
wishes of people who have pledged for organ and tissue donation. A person during
their life can pledge to donate their organ(s) or tissue(s) after their death through
Form 7 and submit it in paper or online to the respective networking organization
and pledger has the option to withdraw the pledge through intimation.
There are many hospitals and organizations those are also maintaining the list of
persons who have pledged organ donation with them, will be passed to National
Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation for National Register.
Why should you donate organs?
Because you can give a gift of life to someone else who is waiting for it. Because,
after death, the organs will be of no use to you but will be life-changing for the
person who receives your organs.
How can one contribute to the cause of organ donation?
One can, first pledge to donate their organs. Then, support or volunteer with an NGO
like Donate Life. And last but not the least, help create awareness through various
mediums.
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HEALTH TIPS -
KEEPS YOUR ORGAN HEALTHY.
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Eat Healthy:
Avoid high-salt, high-sugar and high-fat foods that harm your health in massive ways. Eat pure
vegetables and fruits every day and don't eat junk food. Even if it is impossible to go without eating
junk food, keep it at the minimum.
Avoid canned and packaged goods and don't forget to eat local and pick seasonal vegetables and
fruits. Eat multiple times a day, rather than filling your stomach completely in one go.
Drink Sufficient Water:
Drinking water is not just important for kidney health but also for the health of your other body
organs. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, without fail. In summers, increase it as per your
capacity.
Lack of water in the body, directly affects the cells. Cells that don't maintain their balance of fluids
and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue. To put it simply, water carries nutrients
to our cells and carries away the waste from it. Now can judge what the absence of water will do to
your body. There are applications now that remind you do drink water, if you forget.
Avoid Drinking And Smoking:
Alcohol and tobacco directly damage your lungs and liver. Many cases of liver and lung failure
attribute to excessive drinking and smoking in India. Indulge in self-control and take help to
de-addict if necessary before it is too late.
There are many de-addiction programmes that are available in India that you can join for help.
Exercise And Maintain A Healthy Weight:
One study once revealed that obesity increases the chances of a brain stroke. Ensure that your wait
is optimum and if it is not, decrease it. There are weight-loss programmes in India that will help you
shed kilos.
Also, exercising is extremely vital to our body. Studies have shown that exercising can not only help
your muscles and tissues but it also boosts happiness along with improving overall brain health. It
also increases your energy levels - the higher the energy the lesser the chances of a sedentary
lifestyle.
Do Constant Tests:
In India we have a mentality of going to the doctor only after something goes wrong. Keep a habit of
doing annual tests. This will keep you ahead of your disease and it won't catch you off-guard. Also, if
a disease is diagnosed in the early stages, the chances of you being cured are more than otherwise.
Also, monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, regularly.
Do Not Take OTCs Regularly:
OTCs or Over-The-Counter pills like paracetamol tablets (crocin, combiflame etc.) are not be
consumed regularly. They can, in the long run, cause heavy damage to your kidneys if consumed
recklessly.
Also, take care of your mental health as how you feel mentally, affects your all the other bodily
functions drastically.
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Cell: +91 757 301 1101, 757 301 1103
Office Address: Opp IDBI Bank, Near Kasa Nagar,Katargam,
Surat- 395004, Gujarat, India.
Email: info@donatelife.org.in
Web: www.donatelife.org.in
Registration No: E-7652 Dt. 04-12-2014
Donation Exempted U/s. 80(G)5 of I.T. Act 1961
Donate Life Trust:
Download Donate Life Trust Mobile App:
Toll Free Number: 18002331944
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Come, let’s join our hands and pledge to donate
a life! It is in our power to save endless lives,
we just have to will it.
Donate Life is committed to spread awareness
about cadaver organ donation nationwide and
subsequently Your love, blessings, concerns and
support will help us save many lives in the times
to come. Join our bandwagon and make this
world a better place to live in. Pledge today!

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