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ISSUE
Friday, November 6, 2026
Volume 17 . Issue 44
A Kiwi Indian woman from Palmerston North who recently underwent a kidney transplant in India is now stable and in intensive care following surgery on October 28.
Mini has been unwell since 2025, with her health deteriorating rapidly during the year.
A Givealittle page set up by her husband, Shawn Thomas, to raise funds for her kidney transplant treatment and recovery in India, says the next three to four months will be crucial post-transplant.
"She is now stable and is in isolation," Thomas, Mini George's husband, told The Indian Weekender.
Thomas has made at least three trips to India this year for his wife's treatment.
He said Mini's health deteriorated suddenly in 2025 when her blood pressure rose unexpectedly, leading to her hospital admission.
"all of a sudden, her blood pressure shot up and then we had to take her to the hospital where we got to know it was a kidney failure".
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Mini continued receiving treatment in New Zealand, including regular dialysis. However, after travelling to India in 2025, her condition worsened, and further medical assessments led the couple to understand that a kidney transplant was necessary.
Thomas said doctors told them it was the "only solution provided for her to be living longer."
"It got serious, and even with the Dialysis, nothing was working," Thomas told The Indian Weekender.
The couple began looking for a suitable kidney donor in Kerala, India, as Thomas said the waiting time for a transplant in New Zealand was long.
Of the eight potential donors identified in India, one was found to be a match. After the necessary paperwork was completed in October, Mini underwent the transplant surgery on October 28. She has remained in India since 2025 due to her medical condition.
The ongoing medical expenses have placed a significant financial burden on the family, which also has a child.
Thomas explained that cross-matching a kidney donor alone costs around INR 1–2 lakh, and the couple has so far undergone eight such tests.
"It will cost us considerably more, but I have requested what we need," Thomas said about setting up the Givealittle fundraising page.
The page has so far raised around $20,000 towards its $60,000 target to support Mini's transplant and recovery.
Her medical expenses are ongoing, with costs covering treatment, hospital care, medication and rehabilitation.
"A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Mini," Thomas said.
"Thank you also to everyone in Palmerston North who supported us, including the community and the church," he said.
Thomas said Mini is currently stable and the family is hopeful about her recovery.
A Kiwi Indian woman from Palmerston North who recently underwent a kidney transplant in India is now stable and in intensive care following surgery on October 28.
Mini has been unwell since 2025, with her health deteriorating rapidly during the year.
A Givealittle page set up by her husband, Shawn...
A Kiwi Indian woman from Palmerston North who recently underwent a kidney transplant in India is now stable and in intensive care following surgery on October 28.
Mini has been unwell since 2025, with her health deteriorating rapidly during the year.
A Givealittle page set up by her husband, Shawn Thomas, to raise funds for her kidney transplant treatment and recovery in India, says the next three to four months will be crucial post-transplant.
"She is now stable and is in isolation," Thomas, Mini George's husband, told The Indian Weekender.
Thomas has made at least three trips to India this year for his wife's treatment.
He said Mini's health deteriorated suddenly in 2025 when her blood pressure rose unexpectedly, leading to her hospital admission.
"all of a sudden, her blood pressure shot up and then we had to take her to the hospital where we got to know it was a kidney failure".
If you wish to donate, click here
Mini continued receiving treatment in New Zealand, including regular dialysis. However, after travelling to India in 2025, her condition worsened, and further medical assessments led the couple to understand that a kidney transplant was necessary.
Thomas said doctors told them it was the "only solution provided for her to be living longer."
"It got serious, and even with the Dialysis, nothing was working," Thomas told The Indian Weekender.
The couple began looking for a suitable kidney donor in Kerala, India, as Thomas said the waiting time for a transplant in New Zealand was long.
Of the eight potential donors identified in India, one was found to be a match. After the necessary paperwork was completed in October, Mini underwent the transplant surgery on October 28. She has remained in India since 2025 due to her medical condition.
The ongoing medical expenses have placed a significant financial burden on the family, which also has a child.
Thomas explained that cross-matching a kidney donor alone costs around INR 1–2 lakh, and the couple has so far undergone eight such tests.
"It will cost us considerably more, but I have requested what we need," Thomas said about setting up the Givealittle fundraising page.
The page has so far raised around $20,000 towards its $60,000 target to support Mini's transplant and recovery.
Her medical expenses are ongoing, with costs covering treatment, hospital care, medication and rehabilitation.
"A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Mini," Thomas said.
"Thank you also to everyone in Palmerston North who supported us, including the community and the church," he said.
Thomas said Mini is currently stable and the family is hopeful about her recovery.
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