--- On Wed, 22/10/08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Special Correspondent
Lauding a noble deed: Dr. Ashokan and Dr. Pushpanjali being honoured by Governor Surjit Singh Barnala at a function organised by RI District 3230 in Chennai on Tuesday. CHENNAI: A chain of events set in motion by a young boy's unfortunate accident and subsequent brain death came a full circle on Tuesday with the parents of the boy pledging to campaign for organ donation and cautioning parents against letting minors drive vehicles. Hithendran's parents Ashokan and Pushpanjali minced no words as they spoke of how their son might still be alive had he only worn a helmet while riding a bike. The boy sustained head injuries and doctors declared him brain dead. Hithendran's parents donated his organs, which were later used to give a new lease of life to at least eight other persons. Speaking at a function to felicitate them, the duo spoke of their intention to do so by tying up with organisations that promote organ donation. Dr. Ashokan said: "We were flooded with calls immediately after Hithendran's death, from people wanting to know how they could pledge their organs. It was not a difficult decision for us to make once we realised he was brain dead." The couple now want to help others make similar decisions in unfortunate situations. "For my son it was hopeless, he was dying. But, he was fortunate to find eight recipients immediately for all the organs they could take from him. We're thankful to all the recipients and the doctors for making this happen," he said. Dr. Pushpanjali said, "My son has done his duty towards society. Let us follow him." Governor Surjit Singh Barnala said research revealed that at any given time there were about 8-10 brain dead patients in different intensive care units in any major city in the country. There was a huge possibility of organ donation from brain dead donors and there was a need to form a network with hospitals. He urged Rotary Club to take it as their mission to create awareness of organ donation. A total of 52 Rotary Clubs in R.I.District 3230 came together to felicitate the couple, K.M.Cherian of Frontier Lifeline Hospital, who performed the heart transplantation with his team, and Sunil Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police (traffic), who made it possible for the heart to be transported from the hospital in Teynampet to Mogappair in a record time of 11 minutes. A. Subramaniam, Rotary district 3230 Governor, felicitated the couple, Dr. Cherian and Mr. Sunil Kumar.
