Family of Andheri East-based businessman recounts how, on the suggestion of a relative, they found courage and decided to donate his organs and skin
Raj and Harsh, Atul Parekh’s sons. Also seen in the frame is their mother, Chetna, who died four years ago
After he was declared brain dead last week, the family of businessman Atul Parekh, 56, decided to donate his skin and organs. Atul was among the five dead individuals whose skin was harvested on January 28 by the skin bank of the National Burns Centre, Airoli.
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mid-day spoke to the family members of Atul, who resided in Andheri East. The family was initially reluctant to donate Atul’s organs and skins. However, now, his immediate family and friends have also pledged to become donors.
“My father always believed in and practised Shrestha Seva, Manav Seva” (service to mankind is supreme). He was helping those in need irrespective of their caste, creed and religion, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. He may not be alive physically, but through his organs and skin, he will remain alive in the bodies of those who received them. This makes us happy,” said 28-year-old Harsh, Atul’s younger son.
“I don’t know how but I was comfortable and had the courage to consent for my father’s organ and skin donation. I was sure he was brain dead. The doctors had given us a 48- to 72-hour window before he would be pronounced dead. Instead of cremating his organs with the body, I thought it would be better if his organs could save those in need. Hence, we consented to the donation,” said Harsh.
Wedding in the family
Harsh’s elder brother Raj, 31, was to tie the know on February 6. Last week, when Atul was speaking to a close family member Ashwin Vora, 46, he developed a severe headache and uneasiness.
Ashwin said, “Atul bhai was looking forward to the upcoming wedding. Raj and Harsh were supporting their father in the family business of wholesale trading of tea powder. They had been coming to terms with the death of their mother, Chetna, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 51, four years ago.”
“Atul was rushed to Holy Spirit Hospital in Andheri as his blood pressure shot up over 200/100 (mm Hg) and doctors put him on ventilator support as he was becoming unconscious. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan confirmed the brain stroke, as he had bleeding in the brain,” said Ashwin.
Initially, Atul was showing signs of improvement but his blood pressure shot up again, which left him brain dead early on Friday. “The doctors said that according to the sleep apnea test, Atul was brain dead. They said they may have to pronounce him dead in 48 to 72 hours. Organ donation was mooted by Atul’s cousin, Deepak Parekh, who succeeded in convincing the relatives of donation. Atul’s son supported this and consented to it. We decided to go ahead with organ retrieval as all other vital organs, including the liver, kidney, cornea, etc. were absolutely fine.”
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