When 30-year-old burn survivor Viraj Thakoor recalls the workplace accident that left him with 43 per cent burns, he describes a narrow escape. Large portions of his skin were damaged, exposing him to life-threatening infections and complications. What ultimately saved him, he says, was not just timely medical care, but access to donated human skin. “What truly saved my life was skin grafting made possible through skin donation,” Thakoor said, expressing gratitude to the unknown donors whose contribution made his recovery possible. But his survival highlights a harsher reality. For most burn patients in India, access to skin grafting remains uncertain due to a severe shortage of donors. The country records nearly 70 lakh burn injuries every year, with around 1.4 lakh deaths half of which experts say are preventable with adequate skin donation. Yet, supply continues to fall drastically short.…