Bengaluru Woman's Rare Kidney Donation Journey

A remarkable journey of altruism unfolded as a 58-year-old fetal medicine consultant from Bengaluru successfully donated her kidney to a woman she had never met. This act of generosity, however, was the culmination of a prolonged effort that began around 2014. Initial family apprehension and institutional processes presented significant obstacles, delaying the donation for several years.

The process involved navigating concerns about organ trafficking, leading to a denial from the hospital council two years prior to the final procedure. Facing these setbacks, the donor approached the Karnataka High Court. On November 25, 2025, the court acknowledged the urgency, particularly given the family's history of diabetes, and ruled in favor of the donation, emphasizing her voluntary will.

This rare case, where a donation was made to an unrelated recipient without compensation, underscores the challenges in organ donation. The donor expressed hope that her experience will raise awareness about the critical need for more living donors, especially given the low transplant rates in India. The recipient's family conveyed their deep gratitude following the successful procedure.