Chennai, 17th June, 2010: Mahesh (33) experienced the joy of becoming a father for the first time on June 17 last year. Today on his son's Chaarukesh's first birthday, the design engineer from Chennai made the occasion even more special by organising a seminar on organ donation for the benefit of the guests at the birthday party.

The one-year-old's father and his wife Chandrakala (23) had approached MOHAN Foundation to increase awareness about organ donation, to conduct an awareness program for their relatives and close friends.

"Initially, I had only intended to get an organ donor card on that day and pledge to donate my organs. However, I did not think I was doing enough. So, I decided to educate my family members and friends about this issue," said Mahesh "Unless your family is convinced, your pledge will hold no value. It is the responsibility of every person to educate their family about this issue so that they may live on in others, even after death," he said.

Our Transplant Coordinator delivered a PowerPoint presentation on organ donation and subsequently provided donor cards to all those interested in pledging their organs.

"We were pleasantly surprised when Mr. Mahesh approached us to organize the seminar as we have never encountered any such request in the past," said Sunil Shroff, trustee, MOHAN Foundation. "It is heartening to see people who are so passionate about this cause. We hope that other citizens too, will follow this example," he added.

Equally dedicated to the cause, Chandrakala said that the celebration would not have been 'complete' without a small contribution from their family for a noble cause. "My husband and I made out a list of topics that could be addressed on the day and finally chose 'organ donation'. Seeing his enthusiasm for the cause, many of our relatives also agreed to pledge their organs," she said.

The couple now hopes to inspire other citizens to endeavor to include the rest of society in every happy occasion. Nearly hundred people attended the program and out of them forty five people voluntarily came forward and signed for the donor card. The birthday celebration and cutting of the cake that continued after was a real treat to everybody.