Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 26: Organ donation is called as 'giving the gift of life' simply because organ donation is not an obligation or duty. Most of us know that donating organs is a generous and worthy cause as it can save lives or can give a new lease of life to many. It is said that organs of one brain dead person can save as many as 9 lives and improve the lives of many others. Most people dither when it comes to donating organs because of certain misgivings.
However, it cannot be denied that there can be life after death especially for people who donate their organs. They live through the lives of others and most daijiiworld readers may be aware that when 24-year-old Jeevan Vijay Fernandes who was brain dead following an accident on April 10 created history of sorts in Mangaluru when his body organs were retrieved and sent to Bengaluru for transplanting them to needy patients on April 13. A green corridor was created to transport his vital body organs to the airport and then to Bengaluru through a special chartered flight after he was declared brain dead.
Physically Jeevan is not alive but it can be said with certainty that he lives amidst us through those who got a new lease of life with his donated organs. His was the first live organ harvest in Mangaluru and the family’s decision to donate the organs of Jeevan despite their own sorrow of losing a young son, is certainly praiseworthy and worth emulating. It is sure to inspire more people to donate their body organs.
While Jeevan, a resident of Bellor in Bantwal lives through others, for his family which lost a young son who was the sole breadwinner for the family, life has not been easy since his death. The family is really going to a testing time because Jeevan being the eldest son Jeevan was the pillar of strength for his parents especially his sick father and three siblings. He was working in Padil in an auto spare parts shop of his uncle and was supporting the family. His father Jerome Fernandes (60) is a cancer patient and the family has spent nearly Rs 5 lacs for his treatment in the last two years. His mother Gracy Fernandes has left her job in the gulf where she was working as a maid to take care of his ailing father.
It may be recalled that it was Jeevan’s sister Jeniffer who was working as a receptionist at A J Hospital at the time of the accident, was mainly responsible for taking the crucial decision of donating the organs of his brain dead brother. Her gallant efforts paid fruit and Jeevan’s vital organs were retrieved from his brain dead body and sent to Bengaluru where they were transplanted to the needy. Jeniffer whose marriage was fixed before the death of her brother got married in a simple ceremony in May this year and is now settled in Bangalore. Another sister Gloria is working as a beautician for the last three years. They have a younger brother in Glen who completed his SSLC with 75% marks.
The family has no other source of income except for whatever financial contribution Gloria is able to spend to the family from her meagre earning as beautician. But most of the money goes for the treatment and care of Jeevan’s father. Apart from the medical treatment the family has to bear the educational requirements of the younger brother Glen who has completed SSLC this year.
The family has a little property with a small house in Bellur, Koppala in Bantwal Taluk with no road access. But in the present conditions there is no one to work in the small property they have. The family is in dire need of financial help to tide over the crisis faced by the family both emotionally and financially. Generous contributions from daijiworld readers would go a long way in providing a healing touch to the suffering family which will be grateful to accept whatever little help they can get. Donors are requested to send contributions can be sent to:
Address:
Jerome Fernandes
Door No 2-26,
Koppala House,
Thenkabelluru Post and Village,
Bantwal taluk, DK - 574219
Bank details
Jerome Fernandes
IFSC : SBIN0004608
Account No 20245638728
State Bank of India
Bantwal Cross Road, Jodumarga.