Organ donation: Family of youth, declared brain dead, helps save 7 lives

Manipal: A youth who was declared brain dead after a tragic road accident has been able to bring new hope to seven other individuals through the gift of organ donation.

Ullas R, (21) resident of Bhadravati, was critically injured in an accident that took place at Chennagiri road on April 22. He was rushed to Kasturba Hospital in Manipal for further treatment, where a team of medical professionals did everything they could to save him. However, despite their best efforts, there were no signs of recovery and Ullas was eventually declared brain dead by a team of expert doctors on April 23.

Following the devastating news, Ullas’ father Rajappa, and other family members made the selfless decision to donate viable organs from their loved one’s body to save the lives of other patients.

As a result, Ullas’ lungs were donated to patients at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, his liver to Aster CMI Hospital in Bengaluru, and one of his kidneys to AJ Hospital in Mangaluru, whereas two corneas and another kidney were donated to registered patients at Kasturba Hospital in Manipal.

Thanks to the generosity of Ullas’s family, seven patients have been given a new lease on life.

Speaking about the family’s decision to donate Ullas’ organs, Rajappa said, “Organ donation is a charitable work. My son has found meaningful life in donating organs after his death.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Avinash Shetty, the Medical Superintendent at Kasturba Hospital, hailed the family’s selflessness and called on more people to follow their example.