THOMAS THATHAMPALLY: COORDINATING EYE DONATION FOR 75 PERSONS
 |
| Thomas Thathampally, Coordinator, Eye donation cell, St.Joseph Church, Urakam, Thrissur |
By gifting the power of sight to 75 persons in 13 years, the Urakam village near Iringalakkuda is showing what dedicated and persistent effort can achieve. The team behind the effort is the CLC activists of the St.Joseph Church in the village.
13 years ago, the eye donation cell was formed with Thomas Thathampally as the coordinator. The first task of the cell was creating awareness among the people. Those inspired by the ideal signed their willingness to donate their eyes after their death.
The first donor was Kunnikkuru Kochu Devassi, who in fact had only one eye. His single eye brought light to a person. Later 74 others too had the good fortune to open their eyes and perceive the light and colours of the world.
When a prospective donor dies, relatives inform Thathampally, who in tern informs Little Flower Hospital, Angamali. A team of doctors and nurses rush to the spot within an hour and remove the eyes from the dead body.
Thathampally has received a few awards in appreciation of the good work. These include Nehru Yuvak Kendra Youth Award, Appreciation Award of Jubilee Mission Medical College, Kerala Citizen’s Forum Awards etc.
Courtesy:
Mathrubhumi, September 11, 2008
Contributed by: Administrator
