Family of 91 Year Old Woman Fulfills Her Wish, Donating Skin and Eyes to Kerala’s Skin Bank

Kerala Records Second Skin Bank Donation

Kerala witnessed a milestone in organ donation when Anandavalli Ammal, aged 91, became the state’s second skin bank donor. The donation was made to the Skin Bank at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital (MCH), which was inaugurated in September 2025. This act highlights the growing awareness and acceptance of skin donation as a humanitarian gesture.

Key Highlights:

• Donor Profile: Anandavalli Ammal, a resident of Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, had expressed her wish to donate organs after death.
• Family’s Role: Her sons honored her wish, donating her skin and eyes. Due to age, other organs could not be retrieved.
• Skin Harvesting: A medical team from MCH’s Plastic Surgery Department conducted the procedure at her home, using advanced equipment.
• Processing: The harvested skin will be processed and stored sterile for up to five weeks before grafting onto burn patients.
• Legacy: Her husband had donated his eyes two decades ago, making the family long-time advocates of organ donation.
• Awareness Impact: The second donation within weeks of the bank’s launch signals growing acceptance and potential for more contributions.

This donation not only fulfills a personal wish but also strengthens Kerala’s efforts to build a culture of organ and tissue donation.

Sources: The New Indian Express, The Hindu, Times of India.