In an attempt to raise Organ Donation Awareness within the city, MOHAN Foundation (Multi Organ Harvesting Aid Network), a not-for-profit organization organized an ‘Organ Donation Rally’ at the Marina Beach on 22nd January 2012 from 7 AM to 9 AM. A first-of-its-kind sand sculpture on Organ Donation was also created on the sands of the Marina beach by the students of the Govt. College of Fine Arts.
“Tamil Nadu is at the forefront of the deceased organ donation programme in India. The latest statistics show that there have been 230 organ donors in the state from October 2008 till date. As a result 1318 organs and tissues have been donated saving many lives. Events such as this help people realize the importance of this cause and builds positive public will about organ donation,” said Dr. Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee of MOHAN Foundation.
The event drew an enthusiastic response from corporate and colleges like Loyola College, Agrasen College, Quaid-e-Millath Govt. College for Women (Autonomous), Sindhi College, SDNB Vaishnav college who sent forth their students in large numbers to participate in the rally.
The rally commenced at the Triumph of Labour statue. Mr. Sharad Sharma, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, handed over the baton for flag off to Mr. Saidai Samiyappan Duraisamy, Mayor, Corporation of Chennai, who flagged off the rally.
The rally culminated at the sand sculpture that was created in the sands near the Gandhi statue. The ambience was perfect for the students of Madras Christian College who then gave a vibrant street theatre performance on organ donation.
Dr. V. Kanagasabai, Dean, MMC & RGGGH, Dr. M. Panchanathan, JD (MEDL), DMRHS, Dr. N. Muthurajan, Dy. Director of Medical Education, and Dr. V. Palani, Medical Superintendent, addressed the gathering. The 33rd edition of the Indian Transplant newsletter was released by Mr. Anantha Padmanaban, Managing Director, NAC Jewellers and the first copy was received by the Mayor.
Mr. Sharad Sharma, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India presided over the function. He said that SBI as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative had donated a public education van to MOHAN Foundation so that awareness on organ donation could be spread to a wide spectrum of people.
The Chief Guest at the rally, Mayor Saidai Duraisamy, spoke about the importance of involving the youth in the organ donation movement. All the dignitaries pledged their support for organ donation by signing a symbolic Donor Card.
The rally was supported by Madras Medical College, Cadaver Transplant Programme-Govt. of Tamil Nadu, National Network for Organ Sharing, TANKER Foundation, NAC Jewellers, Apollo Hospitals, Lanson Toyota, Sri Raghavendra Constructions and SS Music.
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