“The light of our life had gone. But we thought that, as our child leaves, if we could save someone else’s life we would be able to keep him alive in some way,” says Jai Narayan, recounting the thoughts that lead to the decision to donate his son’s organs.

His young son, Chandrasen, had fallen off the roof at home and injured his head on October 11. Although Jai Narayan and his family had immediately rushed the boy to the trauma center at AIIMS where he was operated on twice, he remained critical and on October 24, nearly a fortnight after his fall, doctor’s informed the family that he was brain dead.

“The doctor came to us and explained the concept of organ donation. He told us that we could help save other people’s lives and that there was no compulsion,” says Jai Narayan, speaking in a panel discussion for the NDTV Fortis #MoreToGive Walkathon on Organ Donation Day in New Delhi.

“It was a very stressful and traumatic time for us. Our mother had just died,” he says, “But we anyway went home and asked the entire family if it would be okay to donate our son’s organs because there would be nothing better than letting him save lives.”

They agreed and Chandrasen’s heart, liver, kidneys, and corneas were donated to different recipients, saving and giving a new lease of life to at least 7 individuals.

“I hope the people who received my son’s organs live a good life and I would like to tell others that this is a big thing to do and everyone should be ready to do this,” says Jai Narayan.

“I would also like to thank the hospital staff for convincing us to do such a great thing,” he adds, highlighting the important role that doctors can play in creating awareness about and promoting organ donation.

(Also Read: The Critical Link To Increasing Organ Donation Rates)