Donor Memorial

• Mr. Tej Ram   - 88 Years

  
  It was not a routine day for the 88 year old Mr. Tejram. He had spent the entire evening shopping for a suit for him to wear for his Grandson’s wedding due next month. What with all the walking around browsing stores, the nurse did not think twice before deciding to let him be when she saw him tired and asleep in his arm chair later that evening. He looked so naturally asleep with the remote in his hand, that in spite of her professional expertise it took the nurse sometime to realize that something was wrong. He hadn’t even let out a whimper or a hiccup.
  
  He was brought in unconscious and critical to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on the night of September 01, 2012, and immediately shifted to the ICU as his CT revealed a massive left gangliothalamic bleed to add to other complications. The Doctors tried every possible treatment at their disposal, in fact they went the extra mile in this case as Mr. Tejram was one of their very own, their most beloved Chairman. So the news of brain death came as a major disappointment to the family and the hospital authorities alike. He was much loved and respected by his hospital staff and colleagues and his own loyalty and commitment to the hospital was exemplary.
  
  However, when the family was approached for organ donation, the consent by the daughter was instantaneous. The son who was abroad was contacted and he was equally willing. While some extended family members were not so much in favor of organ donation, both the son and daughter were determined as Mr. Tejram had all his life wished to be an organ donor after his death. If one knew Mr. Tejram well enough, he/she would also know him for his courage and righteousness. For he was the brave war veteran from the China War who was offered a ground job as he injured his knee but declined it as he wanted to fight for the nation that he called his own.
  
  Even though the consent came easily, there was still skepticism regarding the health and suitability of Mr. Tejram‘s organs for transplantation given his age. After the requisite tests were conducted, his liver and kidneys were found to be suitable for donation.
  
  The friends and family still remember him ever so fondly as an honorable, straightforward man. He loved his annual fishing holiday, trekking trips, shooting trap and would not go a single day without a game of badminton. This evidently showed up in the condition of his organs which were suited for donations at an age of 88 making him the oldest donor in India and the second oldest donor in the world.
  
  Vinita Chopra, his daughter speaking to a group of students at a school awareness talk said, “It is a privilege to be offered to take this decision to donate a loved one’s organs. Even though I lost my father, I look back at his death with pride and happiness that he could save the lives of others. It gives me a very good feeling.� Mr. Tejram lived a fulfilled life contributing to the society and in his death too he gave all that he could of himself to be of use to others.
  
  We will forever be privileged for having crossed paths with such a distinguished personality.
  
  Place : Delhi
  
  Daughter's Name   : Vinita Chopra