On September 26, 2017, MOHAN Foundation was invited to conduct an awareness session on organ donation for the NCC students of Gurugram District at Universal Public School, Ghoshgarh, Gurugram. The session was organized by Colonel Rakesh and coordinated by Mr. Pramod NCC Cadet.  Ms. Mareena Thomas (Programme Officer) was the resource person and Ms. Jyoti Sharma (Transplant Coordinator) accompanied her.

Ms. Mareena began the session by introducing MOHAN Foundation and its activities. She then asked participants few questions about organ donation who can donate while living and after death?  Participants replied blood, kidneys, eyes and liver. The participants were told that the main aim of the session was to give them information about organ donation after death and how increased donation rate will help to bridge the gap between demand and supply for organs. She emphasized the fact that organ donation can only take place when the patient is declared brain dead and one must understand the same if they wish to pledge to be an organ donor. She further clarified the difference between brain death and coma.

She also emphasized the importance of family giving the consent for organ donation after death and was told that one must discuss and convince their family if they wish to be an organ donor.

At the end of the session some queries were taken up:

• Can we take organs if the family of a brain-dead patient has refused for organ donation and the patient had pledged to be an organ donor when alive?
• Can brain be donated?
• How long can the heart beat in a brain-dead patient?
• Whom to contact if a patient is brain dead and for organ donation
• Do all injuries or bleeds of head lead to brain death?

Close to 250 participants attended the session and 30 donor cards were picked up.