Mysuru: Giving a part of yourself is the ultimate gift of love that one can give to a loved one. To celebrate this gesture, Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysuru, on Valentine’s Day, invited organ donors, who had given a part of themselves to their loved ones. They shared their stories of struggle and the hope that organ donation brought into their lives while the recipients shared the second chance they got to live through their family member’s love in donating organs.

Among the donors were a couple, 56-year-old Annapoorna, who donated her organ to her husband, 64-year-old Kumar, thus giving him a new lease of life. Another young couple, 34-year-old Kavitha, came forward to donate her organ to her husband Gnanesh. These couples have defined the true meaning of unconditional love towards their partners.

In another example, a mother, Shantakumari came forward to donate her organ to her 26-year-old son Naveen Kumar, which she defined as akin to giving rebirth to him. One of the donors, a paternal aunt, Thajun donated her organ to save the life of her 16-year-old nephew Afroz. These donors have exhibited that the true meaning of love is in giving Life to another.

Dr. Rajkumar P. Wadhwa, Consultant Gastroenterologist and HoD, Institute of Gastroenterology, said that organ donors were real-life heroes and encouraged the audience to take up the noble act of donating organs that can save lives.

Dr. Srinivas Nalloor, Chief Consultant Nephrologist & Head, Department of Nephrology, explained the improved quality of life that chronic kidney disease patients can have through transplants which is a better option for those with organ failure.

Bharateesha Reddy, Unit Head and Vice-President, Apollo BGS Hospitals, commended the Apollo Transplants team for clinical expertise in making the transplant programme highly successful and giving hope to hundreds of patients suffering from end-stage organ failure. Apollo Hospitals is a Licensed Multiorgan Transplant Centre that has been at the forefront of Organ transplants in this region. An Apollo Whole Body Check-up programme was launched on the occasion. Dr. Yashwanth Kumar, Consultant Hepato Biliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Praveen Chandrashekhar, Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. Aathira Ravindranath, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterology and others were present.