Parents turn tragedy into hope by donating baby's organ
In a moment of profound sorrow, a family in Kerala has set a heartwarming example of humanity that is resonating across the country. Alin Sherin Abraham, a 10-month-old infant, has become the Kerala youngest organ donor, offering a second chance at life to several critically ill patients even as her own life was tragically cut short.
The heartbreaking saga began on February 5, when Alin was travelling with her mother and grandparents from Kottayam to Thiruvalla. Tragedy struck when a speeding car from the opposite direction collided violently with their vehicle in Mallappally, Pathanamthitta. The infant suffered severe trauma and was initially rushed to local hospitals in Changanassery and Thiruvalla. As her condition worsened, she was transferred to Amrita Hospital in Ernakulam on February 7 for advanced care.
Despite the best efforts of medical teams, little Alin was declared brain dead on February 13. Amidst their devastating loss, her father, Arun Abraham, and mother, Sherin Ann John, made the courageous decision to donate their daughter's organs. This noble act by the grieving parents has turned a personal tragedy into a lifeline for others.
Medical teams at Amrita Hospital retrieved the infant's liver, two kidneys, heart valve, and corneas. In a medical milestone, the liver was transplanted into a six-month-old baby at KIMS Hospital, making the recipient the youngest in the state to undergo a liver transplant from a posthumous donor.
Furthermore, Alin's kidneys were sent to the SAT Hospital at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College to save another child in the Pediatric Nephrology Ward. The heart valve was allocated to the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, while the corneas were retained at Amrita Hospital to restore sight to patients in need.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar took to social media to honour the family, expressing that he was deeply moved by the parents' decision to donate the organs of their "little angel." State Health Minister Veena George also extended her gratitude, acknowledging the family's strength in making such a decision during their darkest hour.
Source: Public domain and representative graphic
