Story of Ms. Vaishali Shah

While the legal battle continued, we, as a family, started exploring and researching other options available to us in case my sister was not allowed to register for a cadaver transplant. It was then that we were guided by many good Samaritans, both donors and recipients, into the world of live donation.

My decision to donate or not was not entirely an emotional one. There were many practical aspects to consider as well. Having aging parents at home and me being their sole caregiver was the main point of consideration. I was also worried about my health and mental well-being in the future. The fear of surgery and possible medical complications post-surgery was another roadblock that made me reconsider my decision many times over.  

But somewhere at the back of my mind I was determined to help my sister in any way I could. I did plenty of research and spoke to several people (donors, recipients, doctors, social workers, and others involved directly or indirectly with organ donation). I read books, medical articles, and real-life testimonials on organ donation.

Armed with all this information, I weighed all the pros and cons of live donation, and finally in September 2022, I conveyed my decision to my sister that I was ready to be her live donor.

Arriving at this decision would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my younger sister, Rupali, and brother-in-law, Samip Bhavsar. They were the unbiased listening ear I needed during my most confusing days and my sounding boards who validated my fears and apprehensions and tried to allay them with their research and insights.

I am most grateful to my parents who stood by me through all my mood swings and unequivocally supported and encouraged my decision to donate. My mother is completely immobile and my father has been suffering from many age-related issues in recent months. Now when I look back at things from their perspective, I realize the sense of insecurity and despair they must have felt during those difficult times. Their eldest daughter was battling a chronic disease where the possibility of survival depended on a timely kidney transplant, whereas their second daughter was preparing to go under the knife to save her sister. Having two daughters in the hospital at the same time was not easy to go through at their age. But their unconditional love for my sister and me saw us through the most arduous time of our lives. The values they have inculcated in us also played a major role in my decision to donate.   

I am also thankful to many of my close friends, relatives, and cousins who patiently heard my misgivings and doubts and encouraged me to listen to my heart. They were the first to endorse my decision to give a new lease of life to my sister.

Once the decision was made, the next stage was the testing phase where both, the donor and recipient, have to undergo many medical tests to check compatibility and tissue matching. While things were looking bright on the medical front, we faced another roadblock midway. The hospital, where we were to be operated, now demanded a NOC certificate from the Canadian government. Things went back and forth for a few weeks and finally, we were able to obtain a NOC certificate from the Canadian Consulate. After appearing before two ethics committees (one hospital and one state), we were ready for surgery.

After going through the complete process, right from myriad medical tests to actual surgery, I feel that there is an urgent need to streamline and simplify the entire documentation process. Bringing about transparency in many aspects of organ donation is also the need of the hour. Kidney patients (and also patients suffering from other organ failures or diseases) and their families are already weighed down by physical, mental, emotional, and financial problems and worries. The present system adds to their woes instead of making things easier for them. Instead of focusing on their health, patients are made to run around from pillar to post obtaining countless documents and affidavits and undergoing many required and some unrequired tests once they decide to undergo a transplant.