Surat, Gujarat – SOTTO Gujarat: The festive spirit of Diwali has illuminated not just homes but also hearts, as a remarkable act of organ donation has given five individuals a second chance at life. Surat, widely known as the textile and diamond city of India, is now earning a new reputation as an organ donor city. In a heartwarming initiative led by the Donate Life organization, a 64-year-old brain-dead man from the Hindu Dhodiya community, Sureshbhai Jinabhai Patel, has donated his kidneys, liver, and eyes, spreading the light of life during this auspicious festival.
A Life Cut Short, Yet Giving Hope
Sureshbhai Patel, a farmer residing with his family in Dhodiyawad, Chikhli, Degam, Navsari, experienced sudden health issues on October 17. He began vomiting and feeling dizzy, prompting his family to rush him to Seva Hospital in Rankuva. Following medical advice, he was transferred to Spandan Hospital in Chikhli for further treatment. An MRI revealed a blockage in the blood vessels supplying his brain, indicating a severe brain stroke. He was subsequently admitted to INS PLUS Multi Super Speciality Hospital in Navsari under the care of neurologist Dr. Manoj Satyavani. A CT scan confirmed a blood clot and swelling in the brain, leading to a tragic but dignified diagnosis of brain death.
Family Chooses Organ Donation
On October 19, Sureshbhai was declared brain-dead. His family, embracing his lifelong values of compassion and service, chose to honor his wish to donate his organs. INS PLUS Multi Super Speciality Hospital Director, Raj Desai, contacted Nilesh Mandlewala, founder of Donate Life, to coordinate the organ donation process. The Donate Life team visited the hospital and guided Sureshbhai’s family—including his son Hitenbhai, nephew Ganeshbhai, grandson Sunil, and other family members—through the significance and procedure of organ donation.
Hitenbhai Patel shared, “My father was deeply spiritual and always believed in helping others. Since his body cannot survive without life, donating his organs was the ultimate way to give new life to patients suffering from organ failure.”
Organs Saving Lives Across Gujarat
With the family’s consent, SOTTO Gujarat coordinated the organ allocation and transplantation. The liver was allocated to SIDS Hospital in Surat, while the kidneys were sent to KD Hospital in Ahmedabad. A 58-year-old resident of Gandhinagar received the liver transplant at SIDS Hospital, performed by a skilled team led by Dr. Jigar Jariwala, along with Dr. Gaurav Gupta, Dr. Rajiv Mehta, and Dr. Mayank Kabrawala. Both kidneys were successfully transplanted to two patients in Ahmedabad, and the eyes were donated to the Rotary Eye Institute in Navsari.
Timely Transportation: Green Corridors Ensure Success
The organs were transported with utmost urgency using green corridors—a special route cleared by the police to ensure rapid and uninterrupted transit. The liver traveled from INS PLUS Multi Super Speciality Hospital in Navsari to SIDS Hospital in Surat, while the kidneys reached KD Hospital in Ahmedabad safely. Surat city police have now successfully facilitated 137 green corridors, enabling timely transport of critical organs like the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and small intestines across different cities in Gujarat.
A Historic Moment for Liver Transplants in Surat
The first liver donation in Gujarat took place in February 2006 at Smimer Hospital in Surat, with the support of renowned gastroenterologist Dr. Rajiv Mehta. Now, exactly 20 years later, Dr. Mehta and his team have conducted the first liver transplant at SIDS Hospital, marking a significant milestone. Alongside Kiran and Mahavir Hospitals, SIDS Hospital has now become a premier center for liver transplantation in Surat.
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Honoring Humanity and Service
This noble act of organ donation by the family of the late Sureshbhai Jinabhai Patel exemplifies selfless service and the spirit of humanity. Donate Life and SOTTO Gujarat extend heartfelt gratitude to the family for their courage and compassion, enabling five individuals to embrace a new life. Their contribution is a shining example of how generosity and awareness can transform lives, especially during festivals that celebrate light and hope.
Conclusion: Surat’s transformation into a hub of organ donation highlights the city’s commitment to saving lives. Sureshbhai Patel’s family, with the support of SOTTO Gujarat and Donate Life, has not only honored their loved one but has also set a benchmark for others to follow. This Diwali, while homes gleam with lights, the light of life has truly touched five families, reminding us all of the power of giving and humanity.
