“If there had been a donor my Mum would have lived”

This South Asian Heritage Month, there are 1,400 Asian families waiting for an organ transplant.

Sadly, for Aisha’s mum Annsa, the wait for a kidney would prove too long. But the organs Bobby’s brother Mandip donated provide hope for the future.

"Mum was diagnosed with kidney failure when she was 39," says Aisha. "She had 10 years of dialysis and was on the waiting list for a kidney transplant throughout this time. We never thought one day she would actually pass away. She was still young and not supposed to die.

"Mum was a very strong woman, we all waited and hoped. We were a positive family, focusing on fun and living life. None of our family were a match to be a living kidney donor.

"She received one call but sadly the kidney was not a match."

Annsa died aged 50.

"Our aim was to get some positivity out of tragedy"

The death of a close family member is a situation Bobby Mudhar has experienced too. His younger brother Mandip was involved in a car crash, aged 20.

Bobby says: "When Mandip was initially brought to the hospital they said he would never be able to see out of one of his eyes. I enquired about an eye transplant, though the doctors said would not be possible due to the excessive damage caused to his eye."

Sadly, Mandip was unable to recover from his other injuries. He had previously shared his decision to be an organ donor when chatting to his sister.

"It was our family's thinking that if we were ready to take an organ then how could we not honour my brothers wishes?" Bobby adds.

Our Sikh faith teaches us the concept of Sevā (selfless service) towards people in need, regardless of race, faith or background.

For us it was the right thing to do, and we couldn't answer the question as why we wouldn't donate. Our aim was to get some positivity out of tragedy."

Mandip donated his heart and 2 kidneys.

"If there had been a donor my Mum would have lived"

Aisha's mum needed a family like Bobby's to say yes to organ donation. There are currently around 1,400 Asian patients waiting for an organ transplant.

"If there had been a donor my mum would have lived. That is very hard to live with, it's not something you get over because it could have been avoided," Aisha says.

"All you can do is try and change things and improve other lives."

In that spirit Aisha has written a book, 'Family Matters... A Daughter's Memoir of Laughter to Loss and Laughter Again', which was published last month.

Aisha says: "I decided to write the book to help raise awareness of organ donation, particularly amongst minority communities.

"I know it was just my Mum who needed the transplant however we as a family were waiting for her too. It's had a massive impact on us all.

"Even though for my mother it was too late, for many people organ donation is a new lease of life.

"If just one person reading this decides to join the organ donation register that'd be amazing! Think of the difference you could make, and to so many people, and all their families."

Aisha and Bobby shared their stories as part of South Asian Heritage Month, which runs between 18 July and 17 August.

To confirm your organ donation decision visit organdonation.nhs.uk