Family of brain dead man gives new lease of life to 5 in Mumbai

Madhavi Thakkar with her two children

I want my husband to live through others, so I decided to donate his organs," said 52-year-old Madhavi Thakkar. Her husband Vimal, 58, was recently declared braindead, following which she and her two children donated his liver, kidneys and eyes, saving 5 people in need.

The deceased, Vimal, a real estate agent, had some headache, followed by vomiting on April 21. He later lost consciousness, following which Madhavi rushed him to the nearby Vinayaka Hospital in Nalasopara. Doctors carried out a CT scan and learnt that he suffered brain haemorrhage. He was then shifted to Wockhardt Hospital in Mira Road late on Friday night. Vimal was supposed to undergo a surgery on Saturday, but he suffered a stroke before that, following which doctors declared him braindead.

Vimal Thakkar

Madhvi told mid-day, "My husband was fit and fine, I do not know how it happened. But when I was told that he was braindead, I talked to my 27-year-old daughter Damini and 19-year-old son Kartik. They also agreed to donate their father's organs, so we informed the hospital accordingly."

Vimal's brother-in-law, Deepak, said, "We donated all the organs for those in need on Sunday. His kidneys went to KEM hospital, both eyes to Bombay Hospital and liver to Hiranandani Hospital. We also wanted to donate his heart and lungs, but could not due to time restraints."