On October 30, 2024, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador for the MOHAN Foundation, delivered an inspiring talk on organ donation to students at the College of Architecture in Altinho, Panjim, Goa.
Mr. Pereira shared his personal journey and the motivation behind becoming an ambassador for organ donation, a commitment inspired by his sister-in-law's experience with renal failure, which required a life-saving transplant. This experience drove him to raise awareness and educate the people of Goa on the importance of organ donation.
Throughout his presentation, Mr. Pereira emphasized the significance of organ donation and encouraged students to spread this essential message to their families and friends, highlighting their potential to make a lasting impact. Using a PowerPoint presentation, he covered critical topics, including circulatory and brain stem death, the processes involved in organ and tissue donation, organ allocation, green corridors, and how to obtain a donor card. He also shared practical ways to become a donor, such as scanning a QR code on the MOHAN Foundation’s website or opting in for organ donation when applying for a driving license.
Approximately 50 students attended the talk, and informational materials on organ donation were distributed. Mr. Pereira also recommended the movie Aye Zindagi, now available on Zee5, which follows the story of Vinay, a software engineer diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, and his journey with the support of a grief counsellor, Revathy Rajan. The film is inspired by a true story involving Mrs. Lalitha Raghuram, the Country Director of the MOHAN Foundation, and her family’s decision to donate their son’s organs after his passing.
Arch. Noah Fernandes, an assistant professor at the college, expressed gratitude to Mr. Pereira and the MOHAN Foundation for their valuable efforts in promoting awareness about organ donation.