Melbourne woman was confirmed brain dead following a family reunion in Pune; her organs were donated.
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A Melbourne woman’s life took a tragic turn during a family reunion in Pune, India. The 46-year-old woman, an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder since 2012, had traveled to Pune with her husband and two children to reconnect with family and friends. However, her homecoming turned devastating when she developed a severe headache that quickly worsened.
The Tragic Event
On October 23, she was admitted to Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital in Pune, where doctors diagnosed her with a stroke. Despite their best efforts, she was declared brain dead on November 2 .
A Selfless Decision In the face of immense grief, her family made the remarkable decision to donate her organs, giving hope to those in need. This marked the first instance of a foreign national’s organ donation in Pune, according to the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC) .
Organ Donation Process
The donation process required approval from the Australian Embassy, which was successfully obtained despite it being a Sunday, a non-working day. The ZTCC allocated her organs as follows:
- One kidney and liver to Dr. DY Patil Hospital, Pune
- Second kidney to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune
- Heart to HN Reliance Hospital, Mumbai
A green corridor was arranged to ensure timely transportation of the heart to Mumbai
Tribute and Recognition
Pamesh Gupta, CEO of Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, praised the family’s selfless decision, saying, “For us, it was an honor to support this extraordinary act through teamwork, empathy, and precision.” The hospital and ZTCC team worked tirelessly to facilitate the donation process.
Impact and Legacy The woman’s organs have given new life to four individuals, bringing hope and joy to their families. Her legacy will live on through the lives she touched, and her family’s courage will inspire others to consider organ donation.
