A Bride’s Family Donates Her Organs After a Tragic Turn of Events on the Big Day

26-year-old Chaitra K.R. was all set to commence a new chapter in her life; but, little did she know what fate had in store. In a tragic turn of events, she collapsed during her wedding reception and was rushed to The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore, where she was declared brain dead*. 

The incident took place on 6th February in Kodicheruvu village, Srinivaspur Taluk, in the Kolar District of Karnataka, sending shockwaves across the state. While the happenings were shocking enough, what took everyone by surprise was the aftermath. Chaitra’s parents, who were expectedly reeling from the devastation and disbelief of their daughter’s untimely death, decided to donate her vital organs—two kidneys, two corneas, and heart valves—to those in need through the State Organ Transplant and Tissue Organisation Jeevasarthakathe. 

Hailing the noble act, the Karnataka Health Minister, Keshava Reddy Sudhakar, wrote, "It was a very big day for Chaitra. But destiny had other plans. Despite the heartbreaking tragedy, her parents have decided to donate her organs. This gesture will save many lives. This is the first organ retrieval in NIMHANS."

*Brain death—also known as brain stem death—is when an individual on artificial life support doesn’t exhibit any neurological function and cannot breathe or regain consciousness without external support.