TRIOMPH (Transplant Recipients of India and Organ failure patients - a Movement to Provide Hope), the Patient Support Group initiative of MOHAN Foundation, in association with NephroPlus organized a workshop to create awareness about renal transplants among patients undergoing dialysis on 18^th March 2023 at SS Sparsh Hospital RajaRajeshwari Nagar Bengaluru. This workshop was conducted in Kannada. Ms. Ranjini Shankar MS, Project Manager of MOHAN Foundation Bengaluru, was the main speaker and Mr. Somanna, a kidney transplant recipient from Bengaluru was present to share his experiences. Around 25 members attended the session.

Ms. Ranjini Shankar, began her talk by giving an overview of the workshop, introducing Mr. Somanna and thanking NephroPlus for the opportunity. The following points were the highlight of the talk delivered:

• challenges faced by dialysis patients
• dialysis versus kidney transplant – the financial burden involved
• steps in preparing for a transplant
• dos and don’ts pre- and post-transplant
• quality of life after transplant
• procedures involved in living donor and deceased donor kidney transplants
• requirements in accordance with the transplant law for organ donation and transplantation the state and national funding schemes available for transplant surgeries
• non-governmental organisations / crowd funding platforms providing financial assistance 

Mr. Somanna then shared his experience of being diagnosed with kidney failure, family’s reaction, challenges faced during dialysis, registering for transplant and how his personal and professional life was affected by all of this. He went on to mention that both he and his family were fearful of the surgery itself and what the future had in store post-transplant. He elaborated on the pre- and post-transplant measures taken, adherence to medicines prescribed, and adequate/appropriate food consumption. He emphasized how transplant could turn around one’s life and importance on regular follow-ups post-transplant. He thanked his donor and their family and advised that the younger generation be mindful of their food habits and focus on staying fit. 

Ms. Ranjini thanked Mr. Somanna, NephroPlus team and the organizing team from MOHAN Foundation as the session ended.