One Donor Many Lives
One donor's story
How one decision traveled 12 years and changed countless lives.
Dr. Thankam Subramonian
First anonymous kidney donor in Karnataka
2014 → 2026
2014 — May
The Spark
Where the journey began
In May 2014, Dr. Thankam heard a talk on organ donation at Manipal Hospital, Bangalore. Although many pledged that day, she learned that only a small fraction of pledges translate into actual donations. That gap stayed with her.
2016 — December
A Decision to Act
Choosing to be in charge
By December 2016, she decided not to leave it to circumstance. She chose to donate a kidney while alive, anonymously, to whoever needed it most.
2017 — Jan–Feb
Medical Workup
Fit to donate
In early 2017, she completed the required scans and blood tests. The evaluation process felt routine, and the workup confirmed she was medically fit. The donor evaluation was provided at no cost.
2017–2023
Years of Waiting
A system not built for this
Approval required a hospital authorization committee. Because anonymous living donation was unfamiliar locally, progress stalled. Her doctors advocated repeatedly, but the case kept getting deferred.
2023 — Jan–Mar
Police Verification and a Match
A recipient identified
In early 2023, she completed police verification, interviews, and extensive documentation. A compatible recipient was identified: a 24-year-old orphan boy on the waiting list.
2023 — Committee Decision
A Painful No
"No relationship established"
Despite sympathetic listening, the committee rejected the request, citing inability to establish a relationship between donor and recipient. The irony: the donation was anonymous by intent.
2024 — Aftermath
A Quiet Year
Hope dimmed, time passing
For nearly a year, she stepped back. The journey had already spanned years, and she was getting older. Then she learned the earlier matched recipient had passed away.
2025 — January
Legal Recourse
A new path forward
In January 2025, she returned to her transplant team determined to try again. She was advised that the remaining path was legal, and she chose to pursue it.
2025 — Mar–Jun
Case Preparation
Building the petition
She shared her full documentation with counsel before leaving for a Doctors Without Borders mission. By June 2025, the legal review concluded there was a strong case to be made.
2025 — December
High Court Ruling
A precedent-setting win
In December 2025, the Karnataka High Court ruled in her favor and directed the authorization committee to grant permission. The order was time-bound and required rapid recipient matching.
2025 — December
A Word from the Lawyer
Dr. S.V. Joga Rao
Friends, it is indeed a glorious day for me personally n professionally and the entire Team LA 🤝 I am truly touched by Honorable High Court's Order @ Directing Hospital to facilitate Altruistic Donation from Dr Thankam @ Kidney Transplant for a deserving Patient. Excited that we could support Dr Thankam to achieve her Life Dream. Momentous day for all of us🙏 My gratitude to the entire Team LA for their unstinted support extended to me in my journey for this Case🤝
2026 — February 2
Approval at Last
Permission granted
The authorization committee met again on February 2, 2026. Backed by the court order, her case was approved, clearing the way for surgery within days.
2026 — February 10
The Donation
A journey fulfilled
On February 10, 2026, the surgery took place. After nearly a decade of persistence, Dr. Thankam successfully completed an anonymous living kidney donation.
What we learned (and what surprised us)
When it's personal, even science feels emotional. These are the questions we struggled with too.
When it affects you personally, rationality doesn't always lead.
Sometimes reassurance comes one honest conversation at a time.
This section is for awareness only and is not medical advice. Outcomes vary. Anyone considering living donation should consult a qualified transplant team.
Why this matters
Anonymous donation is legal. Safe. Regulated. One donor can trigger a transplant chain that helps multiple families. Dr. Thankam did not donate to someone she knew. She donated to everyone she would never meet.
Dr. Thankam Subramonian
MD, DGO, DNB, MRCOG
Consultant – Fetal Medicine
Manipal Hospital, Airport Rd, Bangalore
A movement begins with one decision
Her story is not an ending. It is an invitation.