Who is the 17-year-old that donated her liver?

The 17-year-old is a Plus Two student from Thrissur who donated her liver to her father, P.G. Pratheesh, to save his life.

What legal challenges did the minor liver donor face?

The minor donor had to secure a court order from the Kerala High Court as the law forbids minors from donating organs.

How many patients are waiting for organ transplants in India?

As of January 28, 2025, as many as 3,261 people are on the organ waiting list, primarily needing kidneys and livers.

Home / Health / Teen Donates Liver, Becomes First Minor Donor

Teen Donates Liver, Becomes First Minor Donor

6 Feb

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Summary

A 17-year-old donated her liver to save her father's life.
She secured a court order to bypass laws forbidding minors from donating.
This act likely makes her the first minor liver donor in the region.

Teen Donates Liver, Becomes First Minor Donor

In a remarkable act of love and determination, a 17-year-old from Thrissur, Kerala, donated a portion of her liver to her father, P.G. Pratheesh, who was suffering from severe liver cirrhosis. Facing a critical shortage of time and a failed attempt to find a relative donor, the student pursued the unprecedented donation, leading her to seek and obtain a court order from the Kerala High Court. This allowed the transplant to proceed on February 9, 2023, making her likely the first minor organ donor.

The family initially opposed the idea due to the potential pain and legal restrictions against organ donation by minors. However, her unwavering resolve, coupled with a rigorous medical and psychiatric evaluation, paved the way for the life-saving surgery. Her father, unaware of her legal efforts, expressed his gratitude and surprise at his daughter's bravery.