On September 9, 2024, MOHAN Foundation conducted an organ donation awareness session at Punjab Sindh School, Rishikesh, in collaboration with the Rotary Club Rishikesh Divas. The session was organized at the invitation of Ms. Tanu Jain, President of the Rotary Club Rishikesh Divas, and was attended by Ms. Rekha Garg, Immediate Past President, Rotary Club Rishikesh Divas, and Ms. Meenakshi Aggrawal, Member, Rotary Club Rishikesh Divas.
The Rotary Club Rishikesh Divas participates in a variety of service projects, including organizing Blood Donation Camps, Eye Operation Camps, Health Checkup Camps, Polio Plus, providing free education to the needy, and distributing books and stationery, which have been regular activities for many years.
Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader at MOHAN Foundation stationed at AIIMS Rishikesh, served as the speaker for the session, which was attended by the students and staff of Punjab Sindh School, Rishikesh.
The session began with Mr. Arora inviting participants to share their knowledge about organ donation. He then provided a detailed overview of the current status of organ donation in India, using a PowerPoint presentation to cover various topics, including:
• What organ donation is and why it is important
• Who can be an organ donor
• The difference between live and deceased donors
• Organs that can be donated during life and after death
• Brain death and the distinction between coma and brain death
• Eye and skin donation, and steps to preserve corneas after death
• The Transplantation of Human Organs & Tissues Act, 1994
• Whole body donation
• Living kidney transplantation facilities at AIIMS Rishikesh
• Myths and facts about organ donation
• How individuals can contribute to this noble cause
• The goals and objectives of MOHAN Foundation and the Anudaan initiative
• MOHAN Foundation’s 24/7 helpline number
Mr. Arora emphasized the urgent need for more organ donors and encouraged participants to discuss organ donation with their families, friends, and colleagues.
The session was highly interactive, with participants eagerly engaging in discussions and asking numerous questions, such as:
• Can a person under 18 years of age pledge to donate their organs?
• If a person pledges to donate organs, does their family receive any benefits?
• We have heard that many people sell organs; is that legal in India?
Ms. Jain highlighted that there is no greater gift than organ donation, encouraging everyone to pledge to donate blood while living and organs after passing.
At the end of the session, the staff applauded the work of the Foundation and the Rotary Club. They expressed their intention to speak with their families and pledge to organ donation.
Approximately 100 participants attended the session.