Preeti Unhale Celebrates 25 Years with Donor Heart, Creating Medical History in India
In a remarkable medical achievement, Preeti Unhale, aged 51, celebrated 25 years with a donor heart on January 23, 2026, establishing herself as India's longest-living heart transplant survivor. This milestone is particularly significant given the historical context of heart transplantation in the country, where such procedures were once rare, donor awareness was minimal, and long-term survival outcomes remained highly uncertain at the time of her operation.
A Journey from Madhya Pradesh to AIIMS for Lifesaving Treatment
Originally hailing from Madhya Pradesh, Unhale arrived at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi in the year 2000 after exhausting all available treatment options locally and in Mumbai. She had been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious condition characterized by the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. This impairment severely reduces the heart's ability to pump blood effectively, inevitably leading to heart failure. Medical professionals informed her that a heart transplant represented her sole chance for survival.
At AIIMS, she encountered the expert medical team of cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. P. Venugopal and cardiologist Dr. K. K. Talwar. Recalling that pivotal moment, Unhale shared, "For the first time, I heard the words, 'You will be fine'." This assurance marked the beginning of her prolonged stay in Delhi for treatment, a city she has called home ever since.
Critical Condition and the Decision to Embrace Risk
Dr. Talwar recounted to The Times of India that Unhale arrived at the hospital in an extremely critical state. "She had married barely two and a half years earlier and came to us with hope after being refused everywhere else," he explained. During that era, clinical guidance for such complex procedures was scarce. Doctors conducted extensive evaluations before a suitable donor heart became available.
Dr. Talwar emphasized, "For end-stage heart failure, transplantation is the definitive answer. Survival is around 85% at five years. She has completed 25." The transplant was successfully performed in January 2001, utilizing the heart of a brain-dead teenage donor. This procedure occurred at a time when outcomes were unpredictable and success rates were notably low.
Reflecting on the challenges, Unhale stated, "There was no guidance then. Success rates were low, and there were hardly any survivors to talk to. People discouraged us, saying transplants don't last long. But there was no other option." She firmly believes, "If you want life - and a good quality of life - you take that risk."
Family Support and Lifelong Medical Discipline
Her husband, an officer in the Indian Forest Service, proactively sought a transfer to Delhi to ensure the family could remain close to AIIMS for ongoing medical support. Unhale acknowledges that "Family support was critical" to her sustained recovery and longevity.
Life after the transplant has demanded unwavering discipline. Unhale adheres to a daily regimen of immunosuppressant medications and has navigated multiple rejection episodes, including a severe instance in 2006-07 that required an emergency late-night rush to AIIMS. Over the decades, she has managed various health complications such as kidney problems, steroid-related bone damage, vascular necrosis, and facial paralysis, each addressed through consistent and dedicated medical care.
A Collective Achievement and a Message of Hope
Unhale humbly attributes her survival to a broader network of care. "This survival isn't mine alone," she asserts. "It belongs to doctors, nurses, technicians and even sanitation staff. It takes a system to save one life."
Leveraging her extensive experience, Preeti Unhale has actively counselled heart transplant patients across India, helping to bridge the significant information gap she once confronted. Her message to others is clear and resolute: "If doctors advise a transplant, there is no other option. Donors are rare - if you get one, say yes immediately. Live fully, but with discipline. We have been given a second chance."
Her extraordinary 25-year journey stands as a powerful testament to medical advancement, the importance of organ donation awareness, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit in the face of daunting health challenges.
