Kerala’s Youngest Organ Donor: How a 10-Month-Old Baby Saved Five Lives

In the Indian state of Kerala, a 10-month-old baby girl has saved five lives by donating her organs, a decision that would not have been possible without her father’s courage.
Her father, Arun Abraham, recalled a lecture he had heard during his college days—one he never forgot—and it ultimately gave him the strength to donate his daughter’s organs, saving five people.
His daughter, Ellen Sherren Abraham, has become the youngest organ donor in Kerala.
She had been severely injured in a car accident some time ago.
Her liver and one kidney have already been transplanted into two critically ill children, while her heart valve, second kidney, and eyes will be matched with needy patients at three hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.
Arun, 33, said, “When the doctor told us that our daughter was brain dead, we were devastated. It was a difficult decision, but when I discussed it with my wife, she said we should donate her organs to save lives.”
Arun explained that in 2013, a priest from the Kidney Foundation, Father Davis, gave a lecture about organ donation at his college. “At the time, I was a B.Com student, and that day I vowed that if anything ever happened to me, I would donate my organs.”
Dr. Eshwar H, Professor of Neurosurgery at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, said, “This is very encouraging. Ellen has changed people’s perception of organ transplantation in the country.

What happened to Ellen?

In the accident, Ellen suffered severe internal injuries, although there was not even a scratch visible on the outside of her body.
On February 5, Ellen was traveling in a car with her mother and grandparents when a vehicle coming from the opposite direction collided with them forcefully.
She was initially taken in critical condition to hospitals in Changanassery and Thiruvalla, but was later transferred to Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi.
Despite doctors’ efforts, her life could not be saved, and on February 6, she was declared brain dead. The same day, her parents signed the consent form to donate her organs.
Both of her kidneys were sent to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.
Her eyes and heart valve were also transported to other hospitals.
One of her kidneys was given to six-month-old Dhriya, who was suffering from a kidney disorder. According to the hospital, attempts were made to treat her when she was three months old, but the doctors were unsuccessful. She was then advised to undergo a kidney transplant.
Dhriya underwent surgery on February 13 and is now in stable condition. However, doctors say it takes time for a transplanted kidney to fully function in the body.
Dhriya’s uncle Vinod, a laborer, said that one month after her birth, her eyes had turned yellow. Tests later revealed her kidney disorder.
Ellen’s second kidney was given to a 10-year-old child.

Tribute to Ellen

According to Dr. Eshwar, declaring brain death in children is more complex than in adults. In adults, a decision can be made within six hours.
He explained For a child under one year old, it takes about 12 hours to declare brain death. If the baby is just one month old, it can take around 24 hours.
Dr. Eshwar also shared that his 91-year-old mother had pledged to donate her skin and corneas.
“Within six hours of her passing, plastic surgeons from the skin bank came to our home and safely removed 20 centimeters of skin, one millimeter thick, from both thighs. This skin is used to treat severely burned patients.”
He added that the donor’s age does not matter, provided the person is not suffering from dehydration or a skin infection.
While people from various sections of society paid tribute to Ellen, the Kerala government announced that her last rites would be conducted with official honors.
On Sunday, she was laid to rest in a cemetery in her hometown of Pathanamthitta. Several ministers attended to pay their respects. Minister V.S. Vasavan said that the family had set an example of humanity through their decision.