On May 6, 2024, MOHAN Foundation conducted an organ donation awareness session at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Rishikesh in association with Rishikesh Eye Bank, Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS Rishikesh.

 

The program included general eye check-up and raising awareness for organ & tissue donation.

 

Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader-MF posted at AIIMS Rishikesh, served as the speaker for the session, which was attended by the staff of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Rishikesh.

 

The session commenced by introducing MOHAN Foundation, its goals & objectives. He then elaborated on the current status of organ donation in India, covering various topics in detail:

 

* What is organ donation, and why is it important to donate organs?

* Who can be an organ donor?

* Explanation of live and deceased donors

* Organ donation during life and after death

* Brain death

* Differences between coma and brain death

* Eye donation, Skin donation & steps required to preserve corneas after death

* Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994

* Whole body donation

* Living Kidney Transplantation facility at AIIMS Rishikesh

* MOHAN Foundation’s Anudaan initiative & crowd funding

* What an individual can do to contribute to this noble cause

* Myths and facts about organ donation

 

Later, Sanchit summarized the urgent need in this field, encouraging the staff to take the call after discussion with family, friends, and colleagues.

 

Overall, the session was highly interactive, with participants enthusiastically contributing to the discussion and posing numerous queries. Some of the questions raised during the session included:

• Can someone who wears spectacles donate their corneas after death?

• What is the timeframe for families to decide on organ donation at the time of death?

• How long does the organ donation procedure typically take?

• Is there a specific age requirement for organ donation?

• How can someone become involved with your organization?

 

At the end, the staff applauded the work of MOHAN Foundation & AIIMS Rishikesh. They expressed their intension to speak with their families about organ donation and pledge to donate organs. Close to 20 participants attended the session.