Chandigarh, April 22, 2025 — In a heartrending yet uplifting act of courage and humanity, the family of 17-year-old Harpreet Kaur, a bright young girl from Mohalla Behlolpur, Bassi Pathana, Fatehgarh Sahib, chose to transform their personal grief into a gift of life. After Harpreet was declared brain dead at PGIMER Chandigarh, her family consented to donate her organs — a decision that has since saved the lives of three terminally ill patients.
Harpreet, a Bachelor’s in Computer Applications (BCA) student, met with a tragic accident following a fall from height. She was initially treated at Civil Hospital, Fatehgarh Sahib, then referred to GMSH-32, and finally admitted to PGIMER on April 17, 2025, in a critical state. Despite every effort by medical professionals, she was declared brain dead on April 20 by the certified Brain Stem Death Committee in accordance with the Transplantation of Human Organs Act.
In the face of unimaginable sorrow, Harpreet’s father, Mr. Surinder Singh, made the extraordinary decision to donate all her viable organs. “Harpreet was the light of our lives. Losing her is unbearable, but knowing that her organs are giving others a second chance at life gives us some peace,” he said with quiet strength.
The donation led to three successful transplants at PGIMER:
- Her liver was transplanted to a 51-year-old male from Mohali,
- One kidney and pancreas went to a 25-year-old female from Solan,
- The second kidney was given to a 36-year-old male from Chandigarh.
Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, paid tribute to the family’s decision: “In a moment of profound personal grief, this family chose humanity. Harpreet’s gift of life stands as an enduring act of generosity and courage.”
Prof. T.D. Yadav, who led the liver transplant procedure, described it as a high-stakes operation requiring utmost precision and coordination: “The challenges are immense, but the outcome — saving a life — is our greatest reward.”
Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent and Nodal Officer, ROTTO PGIMER, emphasized the broader impact: “Harpreet’s story reflects the transformative power of organ donation. The family’s brave choice has saved three lives and inspired countless others.”
The swift coordination between medical teams ensured maximum organ utilization, and all transplants were performed at PGIMER, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to excellence in organ transplantation.
Harpreet’s legacy now lives on — not just in the lives she saved, but in the powerful message her story sends: even in the face of loss, the human spirit can rise to light the way for others.
