On May 4, 2024, MOHAN Foundation (MF) conducted an awareness session on organ donation for the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans and their spouses in Jhansi and Babina. The event aimed to educate and empower the BSF community about the importance of organ donation and transplantation, as well as dispel common myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic. Ms. Simran Anand served as the speaker for the session and she was accompanied by Ms. Sanya Santosh, Programme Officer, MF Delhi NCR.

The first session took place in Jhansi, where participants had the option to attend in person or via a hybrid mode, allowing for maximum participation. The second session was conducted in Babina, ensuring that both locations received equal access to this valuable information.

Ms. Anand initiated the session by gauging participants' existing knowledge of organ donation and transplantation. She then highlighted the current statistics on organ donation rates in India and underscored the critical gap between the demand for organs and their availability. Using engaging visual aids such as PowerPoint presentations and a short film on brain death, Ms. Anand elucidated the fundamental concepts of organ donation and transplantation, making the complex medical processes accessible to all attendees.

The session covered the following topics in detail:

• The significance of organ donation in society

• Processes and timing of organ donation

• Organs eligible for donation during life and after death

• Transplant waiting list scenario in India

• Distinction between brain death and coma

• MOHAN Foundation's role

• Common myths and facts about organ donation

• Eye donation

• Importance of family consent

Participants actively engaged in the session, demonstrating their eagerness to learn and contribute to the discussion. They posed insightful questions, seeking clarification on various aspects of organ donation, including contraindications for organ and tissue donation and the procedures for organ retrieval in the event of a death at home.

At the conclusion of the session, the BSF Jawans expressed their gratitude to Ms. Anand for her informative and engaging presentation, acknowledging the valuable insights gained during the session.

With close to 700 participants in attendance, the event proved to be a resounding success, contributing towards raising awareness and fostering a supportive environment for organ donation within the BSF community