Fr.Davis Chiramel launches kidney federation fund

(Nov.04,2009): An Indian priest, Fr Davis Chiramel, who donated his kidney to save an ailing Hindu family man, has launched the Kidney Foundation of India. India’s noted playback singer K.J. Jesudas opened the Kidney Federation of India (KFI) Oct. 30 at a function in Trichur Town Hall, SAR News reported “Let those who have two give one to those who have none,” urged Jesudas, a Catholic quoting from the Bible. He lighted a traditional lamp to mark the launch of the KFI, initiated by Fr Davis Chiramel of Trichur archdiocese.
Fr Chiramel hit headlines when he donated his kidney on Sept. 30 to 48-year-old Gopinathan Chakkamadathil, an electrician who lives in the area of the priest’s St. Francis Xavier parish at Vadanappilly. Hundreds of people, including Kerala state Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi, attended the function.
Fr Chiramel said the federation will create awareness to ensure that relatives of ailing people come forward to donate kidney. The federation will strive to educate and remove the unfounded fear of kidney donation, and eliminate the unscrupulous and thriving kidney trade, said Father Chiramel who is also founder and general secretary of ACTS (Accident Care and Transport Service), a Thrissur-based organization. The federation also would sponsor the dialysis expenses of those in need and support at least 10 kidney patients with 200,000-rupee assistance for transplant each year. The federation also plans to help patients get government assistance in kidney transplant, other surgeries and concessions in medicines.