Manu is currently a first-year medical student and his excitement about medicine stems from the kidney transplant he received when he was 18 years old.

Manu grew up in Pittsburgh and was plagued with a childhood illness that ultimately resulted in end-stage renal disease. He had been in and out of the hospital due to infections and surgeries and made many friends with other patients and staff alike. Having formed these relationships, he was very aware of organ transplantation but did not know that it would ultimately affect him a very personal way.

Manu was lucky because there was a living donor, his father, who was able to donate a kidney when Manu had become so sick. Manu received his kidney transplant at a time when he was at new beginnings; he was just completing high school, heading to college and establishing his independence. Receiving his kidney at the same time as all the other new transitions was another new beginning. However, he also states that he felt a new sense of maturity and responsibility. “My transplant happened on the cusp of adulthood, and greatly influenced my plans and outlook on the future,” said Manu.

Manu has done exceptionally well with his kidney transplant and states that he understands how lucky he was to have such a great medical team working with him and his family. With his health status in good shape, he was able to concentrate on other areas of his life but always with a clear understanding about what he had just been through with his transplant.
Inquisitive by nature, Manu soon found himself with a strong curiosity about medicine and an even stronger desire to help others. This desire has led him to the field of medicine where he hopes to be able to continue to feed both his curiosity and his desire to give back to his community.