In a profound act of love and generosity, Dr. Mahar Afroze, a respected nephrologist from Karachi, chose to turn her personal tragedy into a beacon of hope by donating the kidneys of her 23-year-old son, who was declared brain dead after a devastating car accident.

Her brave decision gave two patients on long-term dialysis a renewed chance at life.

The donor, Syed Sultan Zafar, was a final-year dental student at Ziauddin Medical and Dental College and the only child of Dr. Afroze, a Consultant Nephrologist and Associate Professor at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). Coming from a prominent medical family, Sultan was the grandson of renowned healthcare pioneers Professor Tipu Sultan and Professor Dr. Shershah Syed. His father, Syed Furqan Zafar, passed away from liver cancer some years ago and is buried in Kohi Goth, where the family also runs a charitable hospital. Sultan has now been laid to rest beside him.

According to Professor Tipu Sultan, the tragedy unfolded last Wednesday when Sultan suffered severe head injuries in a car crash while traveling with friends in a gated community. After being rushed to the hospital, he underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure from brain hemorrhages. Though there were brief glimmers of improvement, his condition deteriorated rapidly. By Tuesday afternoon, he was declared brain dead.

Faced with unimaginable loss, Dr. Afroze made a decision that few could fathom—choosing to donate her only son’s organs to save lives. As a nephrologist, she has long witnessed the desperate wait of patients hoping for a transplant. This time, she made sure that her son’s passing would not be in vain.

“She is not just a grieving mother, she is a healer who chose to give life even in loss,” said Professor Tipu Sultan, his voice heavy with emotion.

Late that night, Dr. Afroze accompanied her son’s body to SIUT for the organ retrieval. The kidneys were successfully transplanted into two patients who had been awaiting donors for years. Sadly, no suitable matches were found in time for other organs.

Paying tribute to Dr. Afroze’s courage, Professor Shershah Syed described her as “a remarkable mother, a devoted physician, and a true humanitarian.” SIUT also honored her sacrifice, praising her for setting a powerful example at a time of unimaginable grief.

Her act of compassion not only saved lives but also sparked a broader conversation about the life-changing power of organ donation—reminding us all that even in our darkest hours, hope and humanity can shine through.