Kochi ,14 Feb (H.S.):Kochi: In a heart-rending yet profoundly humane gesture, a 10-month-old baby girl from Mallappally in Pathanamthitta district has become the youngest organ donor in Kerala’s history. Alin Sherin, who was declared brain dead following a road accident, gave a second chance at life to five children through organ donation.

After complex retrieval surgeries at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, Alin’s mortal remains were handed over to her family. Hospital staff paid their respects with a solemn guard of honour before she was taken to Kottayam Medical College for post-mortem procedures. The funeral is scheduled for Sunday.

Alin’s heart valve, liver, kidneys and corneas were donated with the consent of her grieving parents, Arun Abraham and Sherin Ann John. The liver was transported to KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, for transplantation into a six-month-old baby undergoing treatment there—making the recipient the youngest liver transplant beneficiary in the State through deceased organ donation. The two kidneys were allocated to a child admitted to the SAT Hospital under Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. The heart valve was sent to Sree Chitra Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, while the corneas were retained at Amrita Hospital.

The organs were transported under coordinated medical supervision. The ambulance carrying the organs left Kochi around 7.30 a.m. and reached Thiruvananthapuram by 10 a.m., ensuring timely transplantation procedures. The operation was coordinated by the Kerala Network for Organ Sharing (KNOS), with support from the State Home Department.

The tragedy unfolded on February 5 at around 2.30 p.m. when Alin and her family were travelling by car along the MC Road from Kottayam to Thiruvalla. Near the Pallom Borma junction, an oncoming vehicle rammed into their car, causing critical injuries to the infant. Her mother and maternal grandparents, who were also in the vehicle, sustained serious injuries.

Alin was first rushed to hospitals in Changanassery and Thiruvalla before being shifted to Amrita Hospital in Kochi on February 7. Despite intensive medical efforts, doctors declared her brain dead on February 13. In the face of unimaginable grief, her parents chose to donate her organs—transforming personal tragedy into a legacy of life and hope for five families across Kerala.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman