Transplant Stories
Contributors & Stories
Faisal Abdullah – Heart Transplant, 2015 (Pakistan)
“I am alive today because of your strength. In the darkest hours of your life, you chose life for others,” he writes to his Indian donor’s mother, calling her Ami.
Lesson: The deepest grief can be transformed into the greatest gift—organ donation can carry love across borders, religions, and generations.
Anil Srivatsa – Kidney Donor
Founder of Gift of Life Adventure.
Donated to his brother, a surgeon.
Lesson: Donating an organ doesn’t diminish life—it expands it, turning sacrifice into a mission that saves lives.
Dr. Sunanda Deole – Double Lung Transplant, 2018
Retired doctor, resumed singing post-transplant.
Lesson: A transplant is not just survival—it is rediscovering joy, proving every breath is a gift.
Shomil Shah – Double Lung Transplant, 2024 (Mumbai)
Works in film marketing; supports new patients.
Lesson: Even rare, life-threatening disease can be overcome—transplants are not survival alone, but a second chance at passion and purpose.
Hemalatha Rao – Heart & Double Lung Transplant, 2021 (Bengaluru)
Senior Consultant and Business Analyst.
“Through all my battles, I have learned one thing – life is precious. Every breath I take, every moment I live, is a gift.”
Lesson: Life’s battles may break the body, but faith and resilience can awaken the soul—reminding us every breath is precious.
Dr. Vishnu Hegde – Heart Transplant, 2020
Practising paediatrician and organ donation advocate.
“The real gift was not just the physical heart I had received – it was the quiet resilience of the human spirit.”
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Lesson: When the body fails, spirit endures. With family, faith, and a donor’s gift, life can be renewed with gratitude.
Abhishekh Dalvi – Heart Transplant, 2015 (Navi Mumbai)
“My heart transplant was not just a medical procedure; it was a rebirth, a second chance at life that I embrace with gratitude and awe.”
Lesson: Survival is not the end—it is the beginning of a life lived with gratitude and purpose.
Faisal Abdullah (Update) – Heart Transplant, 2015
Entrepreneur and cadaver organ donation advocate (Pakistan).
“My post-transplant journey has been a transformation, more than just physical.”
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Lesson: A transplant honours the donor’s gift through courage, discipline, and purpose—turning struggle into advocacy.
Hvovi Minocherhomji – Heart Transplant, 2014 (Mumbai)
Entrepreneur; diagnosed with rejection in 2023 but treated successfully.
“Life after a transplant is filled with new possibilities, and it’s a life worth living.”
Lesson: With courage, family, and compassionate doctors, even rejection can be overcome—renewing hope and joy.
Kushagra Sharma – Heart Transplant, 2014 (Sanawar)
Entrepreneur.
“With my new heart, I felt a freedom I hadn’t known in years.”
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Lesson: Resilience and gratitude can turn survival into a celebration of everyday joys—every breath is a gift.
Monika Tyagi – Heart Transplant, 2014
Senior Science Teacher; diagnosed with cancer in 2017.
“The idea of a transplanted heart was unimaginable to my students. Sharing my experience amazed people.”
Lesson: Resilience is not absence of suffering—it is courage to keep teaching, loving, and living despite trials.
Manmant Singh Sethi – Heart Transplant, 2022
Retired Merchant Navy Captain.
“Avoiding a transplant is a bad idea. Much of the trauma can later be remembered with some hilarity.”
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Lesson: Surgery is daunting, but rewards extraordinary—renewed health, restored dreams, and deeper gratitude.
Sayyam Sharma – Heart Transplant, 2021 (Age 11)
Curious schoolboy.
His mother writes: “His outlook on life has transformed – fear has become confidence, uncertainty has become purpose.”
Lesson: Childhood transplants test families deeply, but with courage and care, even the smallest fighters can reclaim life.
Preeti Unhale – Heart Transplant, 2001 (Delhi)
Technical Officer at AIIMS (ORBO); faced 8 rejections between 2004–2015.
“If you have the willpower, patience and courage to fight, God is almost always willing to give you a second chance.”
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Lesson: Even repeated setbacks can be overcome with courage, patience, and faith.
Ridhima Dwivedi – Heart Transplant, 2021 (Indore)
Engineering student.
“Gratitude fills my heart – for the donor family, the doctors, and my family.”
Lesson: A transplant can turn despair into renewal—even a child in a wheelchair can walk, run, and dream again.
Manmant Singh Sethi – Heart Transplant, 2022
Retired Merchant Navy Captain.
“Avoiding a transplant is a bad idea. Much of the trauma can later be remembered with some hilarity.”
Lesson: Surgery is daunting, but rewards extraordinary—renewed health, restored dreams, and deeper gratitude.
Rishikesh Joshi – Heart Transplant, 2023 (Pune)
Senior Manager.
“One of the greatest misconceptions is that transplant recipients are weak. That could not be farther from the truth.”
Lesson: Recovery reshapes life—teaching us to treasure every moment and champion organ donation.
Sanju Duhan – Heart Transplant, 2019 (Jind)
Homemaker.
Her husband writes: “I felt my life had come to a standstill… until she got her second chance.”
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Lesson: Courage and support can turn despair into hope, proving we can be reborn to live fully again.
Thushistha – Heart Transplant, 2019
B. Com graduate, working.“Medicine and science are beyond religion and caste distinctions.”
Lesson: A transplant is not just survival but a chance to break barriers of caste and creed—and live freely.
Umer Farooque – Heart Transplant, 2014 (Chennai)
“Each transplant recipient has a role to play in lighting the lamp of knowledge and optimism.”
Lesson: Life after transplant is a responsibility—to live gratefully and inspire others with knowledge.
Viney Kirpal – Heart Transplant, 2018
Writer and advocate for recipient/donor rights.
“People still believe transplant recipients live in disease. But we live like other healthy people do.”
Lesson: Life after transplant is rebirth—calling for gratitude, discipline, and responsibility to honour donors.
Dr. Akanksha Gupta – Liver Transplant, 2018 (Ahmedabad)
Gynaecologist; gave birth to daughter in Feb 2025.
“Stay positive, strong, and healthy.”
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Lesson: Recovery transforms both health and perspective—from fear to empathy, from survival to new beginnings.
Jayant Kamalakar Zambre – Liver Transplant, 2011 (Thane)
Entrepreneur.
“My sister gave me half her liver and a new lease of life.”
Lesson: Love and generosity within families can literally give life again.
Dr. Arjun Srivatsa – Kidney Transplant, 2014 (Bengaluru)
Neurologist; recipient of brother Anil’s kidney.
“As a surgeon, I am back to saving lives, and that is the biggest thing for me.”
Lesson: Denial worsens illness—timely decisions and family support restore life in full measure.
Adil S. Pasha – Kidney Transplant, 2024
Senior Designer; received wife’s kidney. Designed New Life. New Beginnings cover.
“My wife gave me hope in one of my starkest moments.”
Lesson: Love gives courage. A transplant is rebirth into gratitude, faith, and purposeful living.
Lesson: Life after transplant is rebirth—calling for gratitude, discipline, and responsibility to honour donors.
Dr. Akanksha Gupta – Liver Transplant, 2018 (Ahmedabad)
Gynaecologist; gave birth to daughter in Feb 2025.
“Stay positive, strong, and healthy.”
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Lesson: Recovery transforms both health and perspective—from fear to empathy, from survival to new beginnings.
Khalda Hussain – Double Kidney Transplant, 2005 & 2012 (Noida)
Communications Associate.
“My journey has been one of hope, resilience and gratitude.”
Lesson: Illness may break you more than once, but resilience and generosity can piece you back together.
Murali Natarajan – Kidney Transplant, 2021
Retired Director.
“I would request all to donate… The government should streamline the process.”
Lesson: Ambition without balance leads to collapse—health must always come first.
Sanjay K. – Kidney Transplant, 2017
Senior Manager with a leading insurance company.
“Music became an essential part of my healing process.”
Lesson: Facing the truth early saves years of pain. Dialysis is survival, but a transplant is true rebirth.
Lesson: Life after transplant is rebirth—calling for gratitude, discipline, and responsibility to honour donors.