The 10th of August 2016 was a special day for all of us at MOHAN Foundation – it was the first time that we were part of a CME for doctors on ‘Brainstem death and deceased organ donation’ in Government Kilpauk Medical College & Hospital. A short but comprehensive programme had been drawn up. The CME proceeded smoothly with interesting sessions by the faculty. It was close to the lunch hour when Dr. Gomathi Karmegam, Senior Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anaesthesia started her session on ‘Maintenance of a potential organ donor.’ I had heard many speakers tackle this topic, some more lucidly than others. Dr. Gomathi’s lecture was crystal clear and covered every aspect of donor maintenance including the care in the operation theatre. But what came across very strongly were her passion, commitment and deep understanding of the nuances of the deceased organ donation programme. Once the CME came to an end, I went up to speak to Dr. Gomathi and congratulate her on a great lecture. We were just a couple of us there as the rest had proceeded to lunch. And as I continued speaking to Dr. Gomathi, her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she said, “We donated the organs of my aunt, Mrs. Kannambal in 2003 when she met with an accident. People say time heals, but I still miss her. It’s only because of her that I chose this career path. I cannot think of a single important moment in my life where she didn’t have an impact.” I could not believe what I was hearing. In my association of 18 years with MOHAN Foundation one of the people whom I had interacted with and involved many a time in our organ donation advocacy programmes was Mr. Chandrasekaran, the husband of Mrs. Kannambal. I had met their daughter Dr. Chitrabharathi and even written a piece on Mrs. Kannambal titled ‘In the footsteps of Florence Nightingale…Forever’ in the Indian Transplant Newsletter (Vol.5 Issue No.14 – Feb to June 2003).

I met Dr. Gomathi again to learn more about the woman who had touched so many lives and only then did I realise that Mrs. Kannambal was an even more remarkable person than I had earlier thought. Dr. Gomathi recollected that it was Mrs. Kannambal who had initiated the conversation on organ donation and insisted that they get a donor card. She still doesn’t know where her aunt first heard about this noble cause, but her commitment to it was as complete as it was with everything else she took up. As one of the finest operation theatre nurses in the city, she helped many doctors set up their operation theatres. She worked tirelessly, made it all look so effortless and was always there for everyone. How she did it is still a matter of wonderment for Dr. Gomathi.

As they waited anxiously in the hospital where Mrs. Kannambal was admitted after she met with an accident, they found her Donor card in her purse. There was a rewind to the conversation that they’d had and it became clear to them what needed to be done next – they had to fulfill her last wish. Mr. Chandrasekaran felt that she’d died this way because she wanted to continue helping people even in her death. Dr. Gomathi added that it was only at Mrs. Kannambal’s funeral did they learn the full extent to which she had helped people – education, jobs, a Diwali gift of a sari every year for a senior citizen in an old age home. She truly believed in an old Tamil saying – “Do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.”

I can see that Mrs. Kannambal has passed on her work ethic and dedication to Dr. Gomathi, and I feel inspired. What this family has done transcends words and emotions, they kept their word to the wife/ mother/aunt that they all loved and admired. How does one say thank you to a woman who did it all...in life and...death...

Dr. Sumana Navin