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What started as a heartbreaking loss has now become a powerful reminder of how one person can continue changing lives even after death
Manisha Jagan Mongan, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 35, directly helped save 11 lives through her organ and tissue donations, according to Sungai Buloh Hospital's tissue and organ donation unit.
Her story was recently highlighted during a Selangor donor appreciation ceremony honouring organ donors and their families, underscoring the lasting impact of her gift.
According to FMT, Dr Natasha Noh, head of the unit, said public interest in organ donation surged after reports detailing how Manisha's organs were procured and transplanted following her sudden death.
Manisha Jagan Mongan.
Image via @voiceguildmalaysia (Instagram)Manisha's kidneys and liver were transplanted into three patients who had been on long waiting lists, while her corneas and bones were preserved for future recipients
Dr Natasha said the response from Malaysians was unexpected, as organ donor registrations had previously been slow due to low awareness and hesitation surrounding the topic.
"The viral story of how Manisha's organs helped others immediately after her tragic death saw a sudden rush in cadaveric donor registrations," she told FMT.
"Not only did Manisha help 11 recipients directly, her story moved thousands of others to pledge their organs."
Manisha's father, P Jagan Mongan, and mother, A Indrani, received a certificate of appreciation from Selangor health director Dr Ummi Kalthom Shamsudin (left) and state executive councillor Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
Image via Hospital Sungai Buloh Selangor (Facebook)Manisha's father, P Jagan Mongan, who received the certificate of appreciation from the Selangor Health Department on 7 May, said the family found comfort in knowing her final wish had helped so many people.
"It was very painful to lose her at such a young age, but knowing her organs have helped so many people eases our pain greatly. We had no second thoughts about allowing doctors to procure the organs immediately, as we knew it was what she wanted," he told FMT.
He added that Manisha had always been someone who helped others, making the decision feel true to who she was.
Dr Natasha encouraged more Malaysians to register as organ donors through the MySejahtera app, noting that family consent remains one of the biggest challenges even when a person has already pledged their organs
Here's how to register as an organ donor on MySejahtera:
1. Open your MySejahtera app.
2. Select the Organ Donor Pledge section.
3. Fill out the form and submit.
Your digital pledge card will appear in your profile after refreshing the app.
Final consent will still be required from next of kin, while individuals under 18 will need parental or guardian approval.
