surbhi's organ donation after brain death

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES

It was the 11th day of my fellowship with YES Foundation which had given me this huge opportunity to be placed with ORGAN India for a couple of months. While still unsure of what my new task would entail, my mentor asked me to come with her on a trip to the outskirts of Delhi to cover a small interview with the family of an organ donor. The objective was to meet them, hear their story and understand what motivates people to say yes to organ donation. It was my first internship with an NGO, and the concept of organ donation was interesting, but new. Nervous about whom we would meet and what we would encounter, I went ahead with an open mind.

The area spelt chaos as the lanes intertwined and inevitably we lost our way. As we tried finding our way through the streets, one small boy came and asked us if we had lost our way looking for someone. On understanding that we were searching for Mr. Pankaj Bindal and Mrs. Seema Bindal, his face lit up and he asked us to follow him. He could barely contain his excitement and told us that he knew the way. On asking him how he knew the address, he said “unko yahan sab jaante hain” (Everyone here knows them).

We finally reached the alley where they stayed. This was the first instance where I had come in contact with a family that had agreed to the charitable act of donating the organs of their loved ones. It felt like one of the bravest and toughest decision anyone would have to make under any circumstances.

I realised that all that nervous build-up had been unnecessary. The sweet lady who opened the door for us was smiling and extremely welcoming. There was a very cute little boy Vansh who seemed excited that we were there, but was shy. Mr. Bindal came out to greet us and we exchanged pleasantries. They were amused by the story of how the boy led us to the house. While I clicked some pictures, Ma’am spoke to them about Surbhi. Slowly the story emerged, of tragedy, loss, and finally the instant decision to help others in the face of blinding grief.

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The 13th of September, 2013 was a regular day for the Bindals, or at least was meant to be when it began. In the narrow streets of Jagatpuri all was going about as usual. Surbhi, their 16-year old daughter was going to pick up her brother from the van after his school hours were done. She had just graduated from the 11th grade with flying colours and was considered the pride of the society she lived in. She had aspirations to be a chartered accountant and had already collected all the study material required to prepare for the gruelling exam.

On her way there, out of nowhere, the wall of an under-construction building fell on her head, leaving her unconscious and bleeding barely five meters away from her home. It was the result of the extreme carelessness of the local builders who hadn’t bothered to cement a brick wall on the second floor of an under-construction building.

She was rushed immediately to the closest hospital who told them that they did not have the equipment or the specialists to treat Surbhi. She was then rushed to a corporate hospital where they were in for an unpleasant experience. The hospital refused to admit her in the hospital unless the family deposited an overwhelming 50,000 rupees prior to admission. And because her family was initially thinking of getting her admitted through the EWS (economically weaker sections) category, the hospital was reluctant to admit her into the ICU and she was instead put in the emergency room.

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The Bindals described the whole medical process as very harrowing, complicated and confusing and stated that the officials at the hospital were financially very demanding. Fortunately, Mr. Pankaj Bindal’s cousin was a practising doctor and he helped guide them through the whole medical process.
After an hour or two of deliberation, Mr. Bindal decided to hire a private ambulance and take his daughter to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Upon embarking on this race against time, it came as a gross shock to the family that the driver of the ambulance, who is supposed to be the answer to the speedy transport of the patient, did not know the route to AIIMS, which is the biggest medical institution in all of Delhi! He asked Mr. Bindal, who was in the throes of grief, to guide him. “My mind was in a state of panic. I didn’t know what to tell him”, said Mr. Bindal. Luckily the cousin being a doctor, knew the way.

The very next morning, AIIMS finally confirmed that Surbhi had suffered a brain death, and eventually suggested organ donation. To everyone’s surprise, despite having gone through a terrible ordeal, the family immediately agreed to the doctor’s suggestion of donating Surbhi’s organs. When asked if they needed time to think about it, Mr. Bindal said, ‘Not even for a second. My child was gone. There was nothing else to do. We said Yes instantly.” Both parents said that this is what Surbhi would have wanted done.

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Surbhi Bindal donated her lungs, kidneys, liver and tissues, saving and enhancing a total of 8 lives that day. The Bindals met the recipients of Surbhi’s organs in what they described as an occasion that required nothing less than nerves of steel. It was not easy coming face-to-face with those who had a little bit of Surbhi living in each of them. But after a while, they soon stood as proud parents with their daughter being nothing short of a superhero, who saved not only the day but many years as well.

While we felt a little uncomfortable in the beginning discussing Surbhi with Vansh, her nine-year old younger brother, the Bindal’s assured us that he remembers everything that took place and they have not hidden any details about Surbhi from him. He knows everything about organ donation. They also sensitize everyone they come across, take part in events to promote organ donation, and are currently trying to organise a small awareness session for everyone in their locality.

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As Pankaj and Seema Bindal narrated the events from that dreaded day, a grey melancholy had flooded the room. I could not help but notice how the bright eyes that had welcomed us home, had slowly turned into dark voids filled with sorrow and irreparable scars that would stay forever. However, what gives them courage to move on from this tragedy is the enormous pride they have that Surbhi has been able to save so many people.

They proudly told us that Surbhi was one of the youngest donors at AIIMS. And that her photograph is framed at both the office of ORBO as well as outside AIIMS on the billboard as a sign of respect to her and to the brave decision that her family had to make at such a devastating moment. Surbhi is a hero. And so is her family.

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Aditya Vimal

Fresh out of college, Aditya Vimal received his bachelor’s degree from Christ (Deemed to be University) in Bengaluru. He is currently doing his Fellowship at ORGAN India and is very keen to bring about positive change to this planet in his own small way. Exploring new ideas and concepts every day, he never intends to stop learning. With a knack for music, you will find it hard to separate him from his guitar on a good day.

14 Comments

  1. KP Sanjeev Kumar · July 10, 2018 Reply

    A wonderful tribute to a cause worth dying for. May this land of 1.3 billion live on in the hearts and bodies of those who are fortunate enough to connect with Bravehearts like Surbhi and Bindals.
    An extremely well written article by Aditya, captures the essence and gravitas of the gesture. I am ready and able to pledge too.
    With best wishes,
    Kaypius

  2. Manjula ramkumar · July 10, 2018 Reply

    Surbhi… Bless her soul..& her familys decision to act on time& from the doctors guidance many people have been helped ..very very touching….bless u team organ India
    & Lots of love to surbhi’s family..
    For sure, Iam pledging every single organ of mine…jai hind.. mrs.Manjula ramkumar physiotherapist.

    • ORGAN India
      ORGAN India · July 10, 2018 Reply

      Thank you so much Mrs. Ramkumar for the kind words. Wonderful to know that you are pledging your organs.

  3. Mridula · July 10, 2018 Reply

    This story makes us all so much more stronger. Rest in peace Surbhi, you’re a hero. Definitely going to pledge my organs.

  4. Sujatha.T · July 10, 2018 Reply

    May God bless you abundantly. LIFE- Living It For Ever.

  5. Mayank · July 10, 2018 Reply

    Aditya, or as we call him, the dark knight, is a legend in his own regard. He has helped me with my holiday homework. God bless this family and Aditya.

  6. Himanshu · July 10, 2018 Reply

    Aditya….all the best on this fantastic journey and I am sure this will bring about a change into how normal citizens look at organ donation ….truly a humane choice in these chaotic times

  7. Sridevi Shankar · July 10, 2018 Reply

    Well written Aditya. Lots of love and respect to the bindal family. I hope organ India is able to bring about a greater awareness about pledging our organs while we are alive and kicking.
    All the best adi in your endeavour. May you reckon as a force of change in our country

  8. Ved Anthwal · July 10, 2018 Reply

    A very well documented tale of a brave family with kind heart and an open mind. May The God give courage and strength to more people to do the right thing when things go wrong in their own life. Wish you utmost success the Yes Foundation and wishing all the very best to Aditya for his journey of exploration.

  9. N. Gowri · July 11, 2018 Reply

    Adithya very nice write up. Simple style of writing without any jargons and conveys the message across. Was moved to tears reading about Surbhi. Her parents are really role models.
    All the best Aditya for your future. Btw Iam your amma’s school friend, if you wonder who Iam

  10. Latha Narayannan · July 11, 2018 Reply

    Excellent Article Adhitya – God bless the Jindals family ! Surbhi will now live much longer !

    Latha

  11. Seema bindal · July 11, 2018 Reply

    Please who read this article….. Please do pledge for organ donation also…. Our aim is to spread awareness for donation …. So do it and alive after death too…. ..
    M seema bindal wants the gap of between recipients and donor become short…

  12. Sundari · August 9, 2018 Reply

    Well written Adithya. God bless the Bindal family. Truly an inspiration.

  13. Sunetra Chatterjee · November 8, 2018 Reply

    Amazing gesture by the Bindal family. To take this decision at one of the most painful junctures of one’s life needs courage of the highest order. #respect.

    Beautifully written Adithya. I wish you the very best too.

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