On February 14, 2025, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador from the MOHAN Foundation, conducted an awareness session on organ donation at the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in Porvorim, Goa.
He began the session by engaging the staff with thought-provoking questions. First, he asked whether organs could be donated if a person passed away at home. Most staff members responded affirmatively. He then clarified that in cases of circulatory death at home, organ donation is not possible, but tissue donation—such as skin, eyes, and even whole-body donation—is still an option.
Next, Mr. Pereira asked how many staff members had arrived at work on a two-wheeler. Receiving mostly affirmative responses, he followed up with a question about helmet usage, specifically whether they wore helmets consistently or only when they saw traffic police. He emphasized the importance of not only wearing a helmet but also securing it properly to prevent serious head injuries.
After this interactive introduction, he formally introduced himself and the MOHAN Foundation, explaining the organization’s longstanding commitment to organ donation. He shared that his own personal experience with transplantation motivated him to raise awareness in Goa. He highlighted that a simple ‘yes’ to organ donation can save up to eight lives and improve the quality of life for over 50 people through tissue donation. He encouraged the staff to help spread this vital message.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Pereira explained the organs that can be donated after brain death and how organ allocation works. The session was attended by approximately 20 staff members.
To reinforce his message, he recommended watching Aye Zindagi, currently streaming on Zee5. The film is based on the true story of Vinay, a software engineer diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, and his emotional journey with grief counsellor Revathy Rajan. Her character is inspired by Lalitha Raghuram, the Country Director of the MOHAN Foundation, who, along with her family, made the courageous decision to donate her son’s organs after his passing.
Mr. Pereira concluded the session by expressing his gratitude to Smt. Meghana Shetgaokar, Director of SCERT, and the staff for allowing the MOHAN Foundation to conduct the awareness talk.
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