Reena Raju was the lucky one. Unlike most Bangaloreans with endstage organ failures who are now waiting endlessly for organ transplantation, she left for Chennai and underwent a heart transplant in 2009.
Reena Raju was the lucky one. Unlike most Bangaloreans with endstage organ failures who are now waiting endlessly for organ transplantation, she left for Chennai and underwent a heart transplant in 2009. Vowing to do everything she could to spread awareness about organ donation in the city, the 30-year-old established the Light A Life — Reena Raju Foundation in March 2011.
With 603 Bangaloreans suffering from end-stage organ failure and on the waiting list in Bangalore, the NGO has got down to the brass tacks. It is taking part in the TCS World 10k Marathon on June 5 in the city, with the one-point programme of thrusting organ donation on top of the societal agenda. The 5.7-km run will start from Kanteerava Stadium.
About 25 members of the Light A Life, led by Reena herself, will be part of the 20,000-strong marathon contingent. “This marathon is not about me but about the 625 patients on the waiting list for a cadaver organ donation in the city. We will be carrying banners, flags and t-shirts that will generate awareness about organ donation. We are aiming at distributing 400 leaflets. Besides this will be a platform to reach out to people all over the country, since the entire event will be telecasted nation wide,” Reena explained.
“Light A Life intends to create a platform for donor families, those who are waiting for organ transplant and those who have undergone organ transplant to share their experiences,” she added.
Counselling is important as patients and their families need to be prepared and educated about the procedure both pre and post transplantation. Pointing out that life post organ transplant was not easy, Reena said “Life post transplant means a life with discipline. It requires regular medication and tests. Most of the recipients of donor organs are aged between 20-50 years of age.”
Reena herself was detected with dilated cardiomyopathy and after four years of suffering, doctors told that heart transplant was her only option. “Since there is not much scope of organ transplant here, I had to register for a heart transplant in Chennai,” she said.
Post surgery, Reena floated her own group, ‘Light a Life’, to work towards generating awareness about organ transplant in Bangalore. “We have been able to sign up 100 people for organ transplant,” she said.
A hockey player at the state level, vocalist and guitar player herself, Reena and her group generate awareness about organ transplant through various events including sports, music concerts, documentaries and TV shows.
“Last year, I participated in this marathon for the first time. A team of nine friends was with me to create awareness on cadaver organ donation. It was only six months since I had undergone the transplant. The marathon was a platform for me to show to the world all that I could do post transplant. Many don’t believe but I can sing, jog, cycle and do so much with a donor heart beating inside me,” Reena said.
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