A final gift of life: Kerala bank manager’s organ donation saves six lives after 14-day battle

Arun J, a 44-year-old native of Thiruvanchur in Kottayam and branch manager at Yes Bank at Vazhuthacaud in Thiruvananthapuram, breathed his last after a 14-day-long battle for life. But in death, he became a saviour — giving the gift of life to six others through organ donation.

On June 26, Arun collapsed at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram following a brain haemorrhage. When calls to his phone went unanswered, his wife S Devi Prasad, alerted the bank authorities. It was they who found Arun unconscious and rushed him to KIMS Hospital. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, Arun never regained consciousness. He was later declared brain-dead on July 8 at 9.29 pm.

Though shattered by the loss, Arun’s family chose to honour his wishes. He had previously signed an organ donation consent form. With the support of the state’s Mrithasanjeevani organ donation scheme, Arun’s kidneys, liver, heart valve and corneas were donated, bringing hope to patients waiting for transplants in various hospitals across Kerala.

The retrieval surgery lasted through the night and into the early hours. In a moving gesture, hospital staff gave Arun a Guard of Honour before handing over his mortal remains to the family.

Arun’s body was brought home on Thursday morning, with the funeral to be held at 3 pm.

He is survived by his father Janardanan Nair, mother Radha, wife S Devi Prasad and children Aditya Nair and Nithara Nair.