On 13^th September 2020, MOHAN Foundation was invited by Ms. Anoushka Pakhare representing Team Spandan, a group of Volunteers with the vision of selfless social service from the College of Engineering, Pune, for giving awareness about organ donation. Ms. Anoushka Pakhare introduced Dr. Jimmy and Ms. Shreya Siddanagowder, a volunteer with MOHAN Foundation & a bilateral above elbow hand transplant recipient.

Dr. Jimmy presented the concepts of organ and tissue donation, types of death viz. circulatory and brain death, the organs and tissues that can be donated. She highlighted that India had low organ donation rates in the world, primarily due to lack of awareness among the public as well as healthcare professionals. She also discussed the various myths and barriers in the minds of the general public, which can only be eliminated through education and sensitization. Questions regarding gall bladder transplant and ear-drum transplant were asked by the audience which was answered promptly by Dr. Jimmy.

Lastly, Ms. Shreya Siddanagowder shared her personal story about how she lost both hands in a bus accident and how she was emotionally quite down due to being heavily dependent on her mother for her day-to-day work and routines. She and her family realised that the only way of coming out of this dependency and bringing dignity back into her life was through hand transplant. She received a bilateral above elbow and transplant in 2017 and thereafter, through sheer will power and determination, she and her doctors worked to improve the motor control of her arms and hands, thereby enabling her to do her daily activities smoothly.

Dr. Jimmy spoke thereafter, inviting the participants to join MOHAN Foundation's internship and volunteering program. Details of Organ Donation Helpline No 1800 103 7100 was also shared. Around 95 students attended the awareness session. Online link to the donor card was shared in order to enable the public to take pledge. Ms. Siddhi Pingat gave vote of thanks to Dr. Jimmy and Ms. Shreya Siddanagowder for conducting the session. 

We would like to thank Ms. Anoushka Pakhare, Team Spandan and the College of Engineering, Pune for inviting us and supporting the cause of Organ Donation.