On February 9, 2021, MOHAN Foundation was invited to conduct an online awareness session for the members of Business Network International (BNI) Pratham, Gurugram, Haryana. Ms. Shikha Chugh, member of BNI Pratham organized the session. Ms. Pallavi Kumar, Executive Director, MOHAN Foundation was invited as guest speaker to speak about the lifesaving cause of organ donation.

Business Network International (BNI) Pratham is a fragment of BNI international, world’s largest professional networking organization. Over the past years, BNI has grown to over 276,410 members worldwide, in more than 74 different countries, from over 300 different types of professions, all of whom have benefited from increased referral business as a result of BNI.

At first, Arindam Ghose, member of BNI Pratham welcomed all the participants and introduced Ms. Pallavi Kumar. She began the session by showing a short film titled “Celebrating Life” so that audience could understand the importance of organ donation and to see how one person can save lives of nine people after death.  She said organ donation in India has always been on a lower side and thousands of people await organ transplant, of which less than 10% people end up receiving timely help and treatment. A donor can save up to 9 lives, but despite this organ donation is a neglected issue in India. She discussed and explained the following topic in detail:

• Organ donation and its need in the society
• When and how does organ donation take place
• Organs that can be donated during life and after death
• Difference between brain death and coma
• Eye Donation

While discussing about eye donation, Ms.Pallavi shared the experience of her father’s eye donation process. She explained the whole process of eye donation and how one could pledge to be an organ donor. 

The audience raised many questions during the session which were answered by Ms. Pallavi one by one. To mention a few:

• Is there any age limit for organ donation?
• How does logistic works in organ donation? What is the procedure for organ donation if someone dies at home?
• Is there any digital platform for donor registry?

Mr. Mohit Goel, President-BNI Pratham was the chief participant. Mr. Arindam gave vote of thanks and appreciated Ms. Pallavi Kumar for the simple and crisp presentation.

 Feedback from few participants:

• The session was an eye opener
• Brilliant presentation and wonderful thought Pallavi ji
• Thanks a lot for this session. It was very enlightening

 Close to 75 participants attended the session.