About our Founder & President
Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala
Founder & President Donate LifeFROM PERSONAL TRAGEDY TO LIFE SAVING MOVEMENT NILESH MANDLEWALA'S 20 YEARS JOURNEY OF ORGAN DONATION
Nilesh Mandlewala is indeed the pioneer who laid the foundation for cadaveric organ donation in Gujarat. His unwavering dedication and perseverance have paved the way for a life-saving movement. Inspiring countless others to join the cause.
From being a successful businessman to serving society, Nilesh's journey is truly inspiring. Nilesh Mandlewala's life took a transformative turn when his father, who was suffering from kidney disease, than onwards since 2004 his father had to compulsorily go through dialysis twice a week. He saw the pain of his father and realized that lakhs of patients died every year due to non-availability of organs in our country. This incident became the turning point that shifted his focus from business success to social impact, inspiring him to become the organ donation advocate he is today.
In 2005 when awareness was limited, he decided to channel his grief into a purpose, dedicating his life to spreading awareness about organ donation and making a difference in the lives of others.
On January 12, 2006, Mandlewala received a call from Surat's Ashaktaashram Hospital. The hospital's neurosurgeon, Dr. Ashok Patel had declared a patient named Jagdishbhai Shah as brain-dead. It takes a lot of courage to approach the people who have just lost their loved one and convince them to donate their family member's organs while they are still recuperating from the loss. But Mandlewala along with social worker, Jitendra Gurjar counselled the family members to donate Shah's organs.
After Jagdishbhai's family gave their consent, Dr. Vatsa Patel contacted Dr. H.L.Trivedi who then sent Dr. Pranjal Modi and his team to procure Jagdishbhai's kidney. This was the very first time in Gujarat that an inter-city kidney donation from Surat to Ahmedabad had happened. This was Mandlewala's first success story. Then came many others.
As the first bricklayer, through his tireless efforts, Nilesh has educated people about brain death and its difference from coma and cardiac death, explained which organs can be donated after brain death, broken down barriers and challenges, shattered myths and misconceptions, educated and aware the masses, encouraged people to come forward and donate organs, created a culture of organ donation in Gujarat.
In 2013, Surat's Income Tax Commissioner (Appeals) Mr. Sandeep Kumar's (IRS) kidney failed. His family members were ready to donate their kidneys to him but because they were ailing from different diseases like blood pressure, kidney stones they could not do so. The doctor who was performing the dialysis of Mr, Sandeep Kumar - Dr. Ketan Desai and CA Hiren Diwan approached Mr. Mandlewala for a kidney transplant. Sandeep Kumar's dialysis began at Ahmedabad IKDRC. After few months of dialysis Sandeep Kumar transplantation was done through cadaveric kidney donation. He then taken the keen interest in the activity of organ donation with Nilesh Mandlewala
After one year with the support and encouragement of trustees, who are the renowned personalities of Surat city and country, Donate Life has been established on 4th December, 2014. Inauguration of Donate Life trust was by the worthy hands of Param Pujya Didi Maa Sadhvi Rithambhara Ji. Sandeep Kumar has been the motivator for the formation of Donate Life.
Donate Life is a non-profit organization. We are committed to spread awareness about importance of cadaver organ donation and make cadaver donation possible, by increasing the number of cadaver organ donations in India and facilitating the entire process. Our mission is no one should die waiting due to the non-availability of organs.
While it has been two decades that Nilesh Mandlewala has been tirelessly traveling across India, inspiring millions of people to understand the importance of organ donation. He has creatively utilized various platforms to spread awareness, including seminars in schools, colleges, and universities, unconventional spaces like crematoriums, walkathons and kite festivals, cultural events like Ganesh Utsav, industrial exhibitions, social media campaigns, radio and TV talks.
Nilesh Mandlewala's creative approach to raising awareness about organ donation, he compose a song, Angdaan Karle Re Maanav Tu Ishvar Ban Jayega, and produce a short film, KAAYA – THE MISSION OF LIFE. The song and film aim to convey the importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on saving lives. By leveraging creative mediums like music and film, Nilesh and his NGO Donate Life has successfully reached a wider audience and inspired more people to consider organ donation. This short film has received recognition in national and international short film festivals.
In our country organ donation of small children is considerably lower. However children require organs and they too can gain a new lease of life through organ donation. This message conveyed through this short film "KAAYA" THE MISSION OF LIFE. This short film has received recognition in national and international short film festivals.
Donate Life, under Nilesh Mandlewala's leadership, has successfully leveraged digital platforms to highlight the impact of organ donation on recipients, donors, and their families to raise awareness about cadaveric organ donations, reaching an impressive more than 100 million people.
As a prominent figure in this field, Nilesh was invited by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PIRDE) for an online workshop to raise awareness about organ donation among the officers and staff of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
Since last two decade Nilesh has been spreading the importance of organ donation through through talk shows on various Tv Channel like DD Girnar, Bihar Doordarshan, News Nation, GNTV, ABP Asmita, Sandesh News, GSTV, GTPL, VTV, ETV Gujarati, and FM Radio reaching millions of viewers.
Nilesh Mandlewala has demonstrated remarkable courage and compassion in the face of adversity. Approaching grieving families of brain dead patients to discuss organ donation is an extremely challenging task, requiring empathy, sensitivity, and perseverance. Despite encountering resistance, anger, criticism, emotional distress, Nilesh remained steadfast in his mission, understanding the potential to transform lives through organ donation.
Sacrificing the celebrations and occasions of joy of his own family several times, Nilesh Mandlewala would go without any second thought of the weather or time, just to convince the relatives of the donors at any locations even if remote.
Donate Life's efforts have been instrumental in facilitating the organ donation process, even in complex medico-legal cases that require post-mortem examinations. His collaboration with government hospitals has helped conduct post-mortem procedures, even in the middle of the night.
Nilesh Mandlewala and his NGO Donate Life's support extends far beyond the organ donation process. He also assists in obtaining police clearances (NOC) and ensures the dignified transportation of the donor's body back to their hometown. Moreover, he provides emotional support to the grieving family, standing by them through the entire process, including the last rites and participating in traditional processes like "Besna" and "Barhavi", he has shown remarkable sensitivity and social responsibility.
He and his NGO Donate Life also extend support to the families of cadaveric organ donors, particularly if the donor was the sole breadwinner. By ensuring the education of the donor's children.
The cadaveric organ donation movement, which he began with kidney donation in 2006, has indeed paved the way for the donation of other vital organs and tissues, including Liver, Pancreas, Heart, Lungs, Hands, Intestine, Bones. This expansion of the donation spectrum has significantly improved the chances of survival and quality of life for numerous individuals suffering from various diseases and conditions.
Many people have their hands amputated by accident and find it very difficult to lead a normal life. So we started donating hands in 2021, so the amputee can get resuscitation.
Nilesh Mandlewala's and his NGO Donate Life selfless work, guided by the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" has made a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and families. The numbers speak for themselves, 1330 successful organ and tissue donations have been facilitated through 1226 organ failure patients have received a new lease of life.
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, they continued to work tirelessly, when organ donation rates had declined in India, Donate Life, under Nilesh Mandlewala's leadership, achieved an remarkable feat, 203 organs and tissues were donated, 182 lives were transformed through successful transplants.
His tireless efforts have not only saved lives but also brought hope and joy to countless families in India and abroad. Nilesh's work is a shining example of the impact that can be made through dedication, compassion, and selfless service to humanity.
Surat, famously known as the Textile and Diamond City, has now earned a new reputation as the Organ Donor City, thanks to Nilesh Mandlewala's tireless efforts and dedication to organ donation awareness. Nilesh's passion has created a lasting impact, transforming the city's identity and inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.
Donate Life has been instrumental in achieving several notable firsts in Gujarat, India and Globally under Nilesh Mandlewala's leadership, these achievements showcase the progress and advancements made in organ donation and transplantation in the State of Gujarat. Here's a formatted list:
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Gujarat's first intercity cadaver kidney donation, first cadaveric liver donation and first pediatric kidney donation were all done from Surat.
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Gujarat's first heart donation was done from Surat.
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Gujarat's first bones donation was done from Surat.
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First ever cadaver organ donation from a Government Hospital in Gujarat was done from Surat New Civil Hospital.
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India's youngest toddler's heart donation was done from Surat.
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Gujarat's first lungs donation was done from Surat.
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India's youngest child's multiple organ donation was done from Surat.
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First time in Gujarat 13 organs and tissue were donated in a single day from one hospital.
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India's youngest boy's both hands donation was done from Surat.
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World's youngest girl's hand donation was done from Surat.
Over the past two decades Nilesh Mandlewala and his NGO Donate Life's efforts have led to a remarkable transformation in Gujarat's transplantation landscape. Some key achievements include:
- Establishment of more then 100 organ retrieval hospitals registered with SOTTO and NOTTO, up from zero in 2005.
- Expansion of transplant hospitals from a few kidney transplant centers to more then 30 registered hospitals performing kidney, liver, pancreas, heart, lungs and hands transplants.
- Broadening of transplant services beyond kidney transplants to include pancreas, liver, heart, lung, and uterus transplants.
- Organ donation at Surat Civil Hospital in Gujarat began in 2017, and at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, it started in 2021.
- Development of Surat as a transplantation hub, with kidney transplants starting in 2020, liver transplants in 2021, heart transplants in 2022, hands and lungs transplants in 2025.
These milestones demonstrate the pioneering work of Nilesh Mandlewala and his team in promoting organ donation and transplantation in Gujarat, making it a model for other states to follow.
Nilesh Mandlewala's outstanding work in organ donation has earned him recognition across various media platforms. He has been featured as a role model on the Dr. Subhash Chandra Show on Zee News, and his initiatives have been highlighted on prominent news channels like India TV, Zee News, ABP News, India News, and News Nation. This extensive media coverage is a testament to the impact of his efforts, inspiring many more to join the cause of organ donation.
Nilesh Mandlewala and his NGO Donate Life's vision and mission is to ensure that no one dies due to the non-availability of organs by 2047, India's centery of Independence, is a testament to his dedication and compassion.
Nilesh dedication and impact in the field of organ donation have been recognized and honored with an astonishing 70 awards from esteemed organizations in India and the USA, including Gujarat Garima Award, the highest civilian award of the Government of Gujarat.
The 14th Hon'ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovindji, also acknowledged and encouraged the noble cause of that Nilesh Mandlewala stands for. Our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji (then Chief Minister of Gujarat), had noticed and sincerely appreciated his efforts. He had sent his blessings personally to Mandlewala and appealed him to carry out the operation with enthusiasm.
Organ Man of India Nilesh Mandlewala, commitment and achievements in this field are unparalleled, especially considering he is not a medical professional. His dedication, persistence, passion and selfless efforts have transformed the landscape of organ donation in India, making him a true pioneer and a role model for others to follow. Nilesh's legacy will continue to inspire and motivate generations to come.
We bow down and salute all the organ donors, whose selfless contributions have blessed numerous lives and brought happiness to their families.
In our efforts to make organ donation successful, we have received tremendous support from various stakeholders including organ donor families, doctors from Surat city and South Gujarat, hospitals, the Surat city police department, Surat Municipal Corporation, Surat Collectorate, Surat Airport Authority, CISF, as well as print and electronic media outlets. Additionally, our Donate Life volunteers, staff, and trustees have played a vital role in this endeavor. We express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stood with us at every step of this journey.
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