Chandigarh: 21 July: Little angel Harshit aged only 10 months became a ‘beacon of hope’ for many in-waiting organ failure patients as his parents’ generous decision of organ donation amid their own grim tragedy resulted in saving the lives of two patients suffering from end-stage organ failure and battling for survival, one at New Delhi and another at PGIMER Chandigarh.

When the attending doctors broke the news to young parents Reena Rani and Anil Kumar from village Chhajju Nagala, teh Jagadhri, Yamunanagar that their beloved son Harshit wouldn’t pull through here at PGIMER, they knew they didn’t want his death to be in vain.

“It’s something no family should have to go through. We said yes to Organ Donation because we knew this could help someone else and they wouldn’t need to go through the heartache that we were going through. We knew it was the right thing to do,” said the grief stricken but brave-heart parents of tiny Harshit.

Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER, expressing PGIMER’s indebtedness to the donor family, stated, “It is an extremely hard decision, but the donor families are a ray of hope, a silver lining in the dark lives of organ failure patients. It is through their generous gifts that hundreds of people each year are given a second chance at life.”

Commending the efforts of the PGIMER team involved in the process, Director PGIMER further said, “PGIMER’s team of experts right from neurosurgeons, pediatricians, intensivists, transplant surgeons complimented by the extended teams from testing labs and nursing units, has successfully accomplished this landmark transplant within a tiny time frame.".

“We hope our son’s story will inspire families who find themselves in the same position. We want to make people aware of organ donation to realize that death is not the end of things, people can live on through others, through this,” said the grieving father of Harshit.

Prof. Vipin Koushal, Addl. Medical Superintendent PGIMER and acting Nodal Officer, ROTTO (North), while detailing about the latest case, said, “After family's consent, we secured his liver and kidneys. Once the donor organs became available, everyone swiftly got into action leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the donor’s legacy continues. ”