Urgent Appeal: UK Sikh Requires Heart Donor for Terminal Condition

Kashmir Hira – urgently requires a heart donor

Stoke-on-Trent, UK—In a desperate plea, Sakhbinder Hira and family in the UK are desperately trying to save the life of husband Kashmir Singh Hira, a sufferer of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), as he enters the final stage of heart failure.

HCM is a rare and severe condition of the heart which makes it difficult for blood to be pumped around the body. At present there is no cure for this condition although there are treatments that attempt to help with some of the symptoms.

Kashmir, however, is at a stage where he is in immediate need of a heart transplant as these treatments have failed, critically impairing his quality of life. The Consultants at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester have temporarily stabilised his body with drugs that are administered directly to his heart through the jugular vein. These are keeping his blood pumping around the body in preparation for heart transplantation but are by no means a long term solution and are monitored 24/7.

Once a suitable organ is found it will be tissue-typed and matched to Kashmir’s O positive blood group. Although 45-50% of the UK population belong to this blood group, there is more competition hence a long wait. He has now been on the urgent heart transplant list for over 12 weeks.

Wythenshawe HospitalThere is an unfortunate level of apathy and perhaps even a dose of taboo in regards to Asian families discussing death of the body, and it’s uses after it passes. Quite often, tradition, coupled with and an almost ritualistic approach to ceremonies associated with funeral rites has meant that there a huge void of donors within Asian families.

This is surprising, as the attributes of giving and altruism play such an intrinsically central role in Sikhism (Sikhi), the act of being a donor becomes very fitting indeed.

The Sikh path considers the body to be merely a vessel, or likened to clothing, which is then shed when the soul moves on, at ‘death’. The body, consisting of the five elements of creation are then blended back into nature through cremation. This is so that no attachment be kept to the ‘container’ that is the body, so to speak.

A life led serving others is given another additional opportunity to be helpful even at death.

Once the soul has ‘taken flight’, being able to put one’s bodily organs (otherwise turned to ash), into good use to save another’s life says Sikhi all over. The act in itself is the perfect example of the very virtues that Sikhs aspire to hold close and live by.

Discussion within our families and social circles need to ensue so that we become more aware of the dire need of those who are suffering in wait, and the simple help that many of us may be able to give.

unnamedThe family are raising awareness and appealing to the Sikh and wider community in the UK to discuss organ donation with their families and to register as donors, as there is a severe shortage of organs and thousands of people who are waiting for a life saving transplant. 

Allowing for the last act in one’s life to be that which benefits someone else in need, is a most generous gift. 

Kashmir and his family pray for the availability of a suitable heart donor to allow him to survive and have a good quality of life. 

The answer may lie in someone’s hands out there. 

To register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 2323. Lines are open 24 hours a day. You can also send messages of support to Kashmir via the Facebook page ‘Organ Donation in the UK‘.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Plz these r not sikhs in the true sense if they had not forgetn seven shahidis of SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI they wud have cured themselves with reciting SUKHmANI SAHIB JI bt tru SIKHI says they shud be helped now advice yur family to adopt SIKHI to save themselves from such things as in the hole world tinny chilren r not embedded in walls YU OWE apni surat to 10th GURU ji by being SABAT SURAT

  2. If u want mine I am ready to give I am pakistani live in philippines I am healty and gud heart.just do me favor take my heart and finish my barrow on my family pls I am ready any time u want.my number is 00639232405858

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here