From UP to Mumbai, people offer to donate organs for Siachen survivor

Mumbai, Feb 10: Indian Navy's ex-sailor S.S. Raju has expressed his willingness to donate any organ of his body to save the life of "fellow-brother" and Siachen miracle survivor Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, currently battling for life in an army hospital in New Delhi.

Moved by the indomitable spirit and plight of the soldier who survived all odds after being trapped for six days under tonnes of snow and ice following an avalanche on the treacherous icy warfield, Raju called up IANS Mumbai to make the offer.

"I request doctors at the Army Hospital (R&R) to contact me immediately and I can go to New Delhi... I am ready to donate any organ, including liver, kidney... We must save our fellow brother who is critical," said Raju, a resident of Bhayander in adjoining Thane district.

UP woman volunteers to donate kidney to Siachen avalanche survivor

Moved by the inspiring real-life story of Lance Naik Hanumananthappa Koppad, who was rescued five days after being trapped in an avalanche on the Siachen glacier and is currently in a critical state at the Army Hospital (R&R) in New Delhi, a woman from Uttar Pradesh has volunteered to donate a kidney to save the brave soldier.

Nidhi Pandey, a housewife from Lakhimpur Kheri, 167-km from the state capital, contacted the helpline of a local news channel and sought to know how she can contact the hospital and proceed with her wish to donate a kidney to Koppad, who is battling for his life.

Pandey lives in Padariya Tula area of Lakhimpur and her husband has, in the past, been involved in organ donation initiatives.

IANS