MOHAN Foundation conducted an Angels of Change Volunteer Training Program for students of Karve institute of Social Service, Pune in Chennai on 07^th December 2017 at 11 AM.  The students were in Chennai for a field visit. 9 students studying Master of Social Work 2^nd year including Mr. Dada Dadas, the accompanying staff from the college underwent the training.

The session started with distribution of green ribbons and registration form to become an Angels of Change. The volunteers were asked to write their expectations and their doubts about Organ Donation. Dr. Hemal Kanvinde, Quality Assurance Officer introduced MOHAN Foundation to the volunteers with a talk on the history and activities of MOHAN Foundation

This was followed by a session on the Concepts of Organ Donation by Mr. Siva Shankar, Helpline Executive of MOHAN Foundation. He explained in detail about the need for Organ Donation. He further explained the organs that can be donated; the stages at which organs and tissues can be donated. He gave a detailed explanation on Brain Death and the causes of Brain Death.

The session was then taken over by Ms. Ann Alex, Program Associate in MOHAN Foundation, Chennai. She spoke of need for Public Awareness on Organ Donation and the ideas in promoting Organ donation so that there will be a good reach with the public.

Mrs. Lalitha Raghuram, Country Director of MOHAN Foundation interacted with the students and motivated them to take up the cause.  Being a mother of a donor, she shared the story of his son’s organ donation and what made her to take the decision for Organ Donation. Listening to a donor story motivated the students to learn more about the concept and take up many activities.

The students visited the Skin Bank and Blood Bank in Right Hospital, Egmore. Ms. Deepa who is the coordinator took the students to skin bank and blood bank, and explained the processes post donation and theimportance of counselling to generate a valuable biological resource.

Then the students were divided into activity based groups like Public Awareness, Posters Making, Surveys and Events group. They started doing their group based activities on how to promote organ donation. Each group did their best like Mock presentations, Posters, Events planning and surveys.

The session continued with the role and one day experience of a Transplant Coordinator by Mr. Ragavan, Transplant Coordinator in Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital, Chennai. He explained the activities he does when the brain death patient arrives in the hospital. He said that every activity from talking to the family till handing over the body to the family it’s the duty of the Transplant Coordinator.

The session ended with a feedback from the students of the session and a group photo. Mr. Dada Dadas thanked MOHAN Foundation for providing more information about Organ Donation and promised to conduct a program in the college.