On July 30, 2023, MOHAN Foundation's Ms Jaya Jairam (Project Director) was invited by Dr Aakash Shingada (Nephrologist) and the members of 'Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church' to talk on the topic 'Dispelling myths about Organ donation'.
Father Gerald Fernandes, the Church's priest, began by sharing how Christianity endorses organ donation and transplantation ethically and morally. He positively encouraged the audience to support the cause as it is considered a genuine act of love by Christianity.
Dr Aakash Shingada then spoke about the importance of organ donation and the concepts were covered comprehensively. He spoke about the need for organ donation, the types of death and which organs can be donated by whom in either type of death. He also explained the difference between coma and brain death. He went on to share that he was deeply associated with this cause from early on in his life, when he and his family had taken the noble decision of donating his mother's eyes when she left for heavenly abode.
Ms Jaya Jairam was then invited to speak on 'Dispelling myths'. She began by speaking about how lack of awareness amongst the public is a big barrier to organ donation in India. She then discussed the common myths and beliefs, and shared the reality with the audience. Thereafter she shared her own story of the trauma that she and her family underwent when she was detected with end stage kidney failure, the dilemma that she faced when her own mother offered to donate one of her kidneys to save her daughter's life. This motivated Jaya to quit working in the corporate world and promote ethical and altruistic organ donation by joining MOHAN Foundation. She concluded by sharing with the audience how one can pledge their own organs and invited them to volunteer for the cause by becoming Organ Donation Ambassadors.
One of the young parishioners, Joshua spoke from his heart and shared that he didn't quite understand why people hesitate in supporting a noble cause like organ donation. It was extremely heartening to hear the youth endorse organ donation and voice their opinion. Around 50 parishioners attended the talk and took great interest in the awareness workshop. 25 people took the pledge and signed up for donor card. Many queries were raised and some of them are listed below -
MOHAN Foundation is thankful to Dr Aakash Shingada and organisers from the parish - Ms. Sandra and Ms Shalina, for the invitation and for supporting the cause.
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