Rev. Fr. Davis Chiramel (born 30 May 1960) is an Indian Catholic priest, humanitarian, and global advocate for organ donation. Popularly known as the “Kidney Priest". He is the founder of the Kidney Federation of India, Accident Care and Transport Service (ACTS), and several other social welfare initiatives. His life’s work has been dedicated to promoting organ donation, eradicating hunger, and uplifting marginalized communities. He currently serves under the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur.

Early life and education

Davis Chiramel was born in Aranattukara, Thrissur, Kerala, to Kochannam and Chakkunni of the Chiramel house. He was the fourth among six children and spent his early years surrounded by nature, developing empathy for both people and animals. He studied at Tharakan’s High School, pursued priestly formation at St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Thope (Thrissur), and later at the Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. He was ordained a priest on 30 December 1988 by Archbishop Mar Joseph Kundukulam at St. Thomas Church, Aranattukara.

Priesthood and Humanitarian Work

Fr. Chiramel’s priesthood is characterized by deep compassion and practical social engagement. His philosophy “Practice before preaching” guided him to personally act before inspiring others. His empathy for the suffering led to the establishment of several transformative humanitarian projects across India and abroad.

Organ Donation and the Kidney Federation of India

On 30 September 2009, Fr. Chiramel became the first Catholic priest in India to donate a kidney, offering it to a Hindu electrician named Gopinathan. This selfless act inspired a national movement for organ donation and led to the founding of the Kidney Federation of India (KFI), headquartered in Thrissur.

KFI promotes living and deceased organ donation, supports kidney patients with dialysis and transplant aid, and conducts awareness campaigns such as the Manava Karunya Yathra (Journey of Human Compassion).

Accident Care and Transport Service (ACTS)

In 2000, Fr. Chiramel founded ACTS to assist road accident victims through a volunteer network that now includes 50,000+ members and has helped more than 300,000 people. The initiative has become a model for community-based emergency response systems in India.

Hunger Hunt and Social Projects

Fr. Chiramel launched Hunger Hunt in 2020, ensuring no one goes hungry. The program provides food to the poor through public food shelves and hotel partnerships in Kerala, Oman, and the USA. He also initiated the Cloth Bank, Home for the Homeless, Green Park, and Hope Registry, all of which address fundamental human needs—food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare.

Green Life Program and UAE Involvement

In 2023, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) appointed him “Hayat Champion” for his leadership in promoting organ donation. Under his direction, the UAE achieved a Guinness World Record for “Most People to Sign Up as Organ Donors Online in One Hour” (4,040 registrations).

Kelkkaam (Malayalam: “Let’s Listen” )

Kelkkaam (Malayalam: “Let’s Listen”) is a global mental-health and suicide-prevention movement

Fr. Chiramel is the founder and principal driving force behind Kelkkaam, a global mental-health and suicide-prevention movement designed to support Malayali communities in Kerala and across the diaspora. He conceptualized the initiative with a core philosophy of “listening as healing,” emphasizing compassionate, non-judgmental spaces for individuals experiencing emotional distress, depression, loneliness, or suicidal thoughts. Under his leadership, Kelkkaam has grown into an international network supported by mental-health professionals, counsellors, and trained volunteers who provide 24/7 emotional support, crisis intervention, and community outreach. Fr. Chiramel plays a central role in shaping the project’s mission, expanding its global reach, and promoting culturally sensitive mental-wellbeing support for Malayalis worldwide.

Global Mission

Fr. Chiramel has traveled across continents spreading messages of faith and compassion.

Major Initiatives

  • Kidney Federation of India – Organ donation and patient support.
  • ACTS (Accident Care & Transport Service) – Emergency and road safety volunteer network.
  • Hunger Hunt International – Global zero-hunger initiative.
  • Hello Radio 90.8 FM – Community radio for education and social welfare.
  • Parivarthan – Anti-drug and youth empowerment campaign.
  • Fr. Davis Chiramel Charitable Trust – Consolidating all charitable programs under one umbrella.
  • Hope Registry – Ethical kidney swap registry.
  • Home for the Homeless – Housing program for displaced families.
  • Manava Karunya Yatra (Journey of Human Compassion) – Organ Donation Awareness Campaign
  • Ma Nishada (“Don’t Kill”) Yatra – Suicide prevention and life-affirmation campaign.

Legacy

Fr. Chiramel’s life bridges faith and humanitarianism. His kidney donation triggered a social awakening in India that transformed attitudes toward organ donation. His movements—rooted in compassion, equality, and interfaith harmony—continue to inspire millions worldwide.

He is often regarded as “The Gandhi from Kerala” and “A Missionary of Life.”

See also

External links

  • Fr. Davis created history by being the first priest to ever donate an organ. Following his example, throughout the state, 15 clergy donated their kidneys, which include a bishop, several priests and a nun - VATICAN NEWS - 28 July 2023
  • Guinness World Record by MOHAP (HAYAT Program) & Green Life (both UAE) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 31 January 2024.
  • - GULF NEWS 26 December 2023
  • Green Life, an initiative by Father Davis Chiramel - KHALEEJ TIMES 14 December 2023
  • Fr. Davis Chiramel played a pivotal role in the promotion of this initiative - - 23 December 2023
  • Father Davis Chiramel, Chairman of the Kidney Federation of India popularly known as “Kidney Father From Kerala”, has launched a voluntary charity organisation in Britain - The Sentinel 02 February 2015
  • Father Davis Chiramel set off a chain of kidney donations in his native Kerala by donating one of his kidneys to a total stranger - GULF NEWS - 15 September 2018
  • - 10 January 2013
  • The session was presided over by the resource person, Fr. Davis Chiramel (Chairman of Kidney Foundation of India) and harbinger of this great endeavour in Kuwait - TIMES Kuwait - 23 May 2023
  • 23 January 2014
  • Rev. Fr. Davis Chiramel, the first priest known to have donated an organ, encouraged the gift of giving at a talk in Hong Kong - South China Morning Post - 24 December 2019
  • The NEWS Minute 11 August 2016
  • Millionaire among those who answer the call to help the poor - UCA NEWS
  • Fr Davis Chiramel, a catholic priest who gave his kidney to a stranger and set off a movement of organ donation in the Indian state of Kerala, urged the people to Oman to save lives by donating organs - Oman observer 01 August 2022
  • Aster Medcity, a leading cancer hospital in Kochi, will be joining hands with charity worker Fr Davis Chiramel - 20 June 2022
  • Father Davis Chiramel, Kerala’s best-known organ donation evangelist - Hindusthan Times 04 September 2016
  • . ManoramaOnline.
  • . South China Morning Post. 24 December 2019.
  • NDTV 02 February 2015
  • THE HINDU 10 March 2022
  • 21 October 2021
  • mathrubhumi.com 10 March 2022
  • The Times of India 28 September 2012
  • The New Indian Express 21 October 2012
  • Through his own example and a tireless state-wide campaign, Father Davis Chiramel is changing people’s attitude towards kidney donation. The New Indian Express 24 August 2014
  • The New Indian Express 20 January 2024
  • The Times of India 10 September 2022
  • Fr Davis Chiramel is on a mission to feed the hungry in care homes across the state with the raging pandemic rendering even those willing to contribute helpless The New Indian Express 11 April 2021
  • The Times of India 5 October 2020
  • THE TIMES OF INDIA 30 May 2021
  • THE TIMES OF INDIA 15 June 2020
  • THE TIMES OF INDIA 27 April 2021
  • Philip Abraham, November 18, 2025