Donate Life’s founder, Nilesh Mandlewala awarded ‘Gujarat Garima Award’ for his pioneering work in organ donation activities in Gujarat

Surat (Gujarat) [India]: Nilesh Mandlewala, the pioneer of organ donation activities in Gujarat has been awarded the Gujarat Government’s highest civilian honour ‘ The Gujarat Garima Award’ on the Gujarat Foundation Day at Patan.

Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel gave away the highest civilian honour ‘Gujarat Garima Award to Nilesh Mandelwala for his tireless efforts in the field of cadaver donation activities and for making Gujarat proud nationally and internationally.

Former president of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and a successful businessman, Mandlewala’s journey in the field of organ donation started in 2005. He got the inspiration to help the individuals in dire need of organ transplants after undergoing the pain and agony faced by his father due to his kidney failure in 1997. His father would require dialysis on regular basis since 2004 and this is where he used to interact with other patients and the importance of organ donation.

Mandlewala started the organ donation drive in 2005. He would spread awareness among the public through seminars and meetings and visit the hospitals to meet the families of the brain dead patients to counsel them on the importance of organ donation.

“ I dedicate this award to all cadaver organ donor families, doctors, various hospitals of South Gujarat, the police department,  Surat airport, media and the volunteers of Donate Life. I dedicate this award to y late parents Vinodchandra and Hansaben Mandlewala who nurtured me in a way that I can live for others” said Mandlewala.