On 15th November, 1998, a 20-month-old child, Sanjay Kandasamy underwent India’s first paediatric liver transplantation at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. 25 years later, he is now a doctor himself after being inspired by his father’s sacrifice and the team of doctors who helped him live a normal life. Sanjay was born with a congenital anomaly called biliary atresia which refers to improper development of the biliary tree essential for transporting bile from liver to the gall bladder. He required liver transplantation due to the overwhelming jaundice arising from this condition. Sanjay’s father immediately stepped up to donate a part of his liver for his son even though this was never done before in a paediatric patient. Through sheer determination and grit of the team of doctors and his family, Sanjay was given a new lease into life and now is determined to share his story and knowledge about organ donation in his hometown in Kanchipuram. His story is a testament to how children undergoing liver transplantation can live an active and fulfilling life.
