On May 18, 2024, MOHAN Foundation conducted an organ donation awareness session at Shivalik Bhagirathi Public School, Rishikesh in association with Lions Club Rishikesh Devbhoomi, Rishikesh. The invitation was extended by Mr. Laxman Chauhan, Director, Shivalik Bhagirathi Public School.

 

Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader-MF posted at AIIMS Rishikesh, served as the speaker for the session, which was attended by the members of Lions Club & the staff of Shivalik Bhagirathi Public School.

 

The session commenced with Sanchit inviting participants to share their knowledge about organ donation. He then elaborated on the current status of organ donation in India, covering the following 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

* Myths and facts about organ donation

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

* Goals and Objectives of MOHAN Foundation & Anudaan initiative.

 

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

 

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

* Most teachers wear spectacles, so is it possible for us to donate our corneas after death?

* Is it possible to have a living lung transplant?

 

Mr. Gopal Narang, Coordinator of Lions Club, Rishikesh, emphasized that when a goal is set to do social work beyond one’s boundaries, nothing can stop progress. He illustrated this with an example: a few years ago, the Lions Club of Rishikesh committed to promoting eye donation, resulting in 334 eye donations.

 

Mr. Surender Kathuria, a member of Lions Club, Rishikesh, mentioned that there was no greater gift than organ donation, encouraging everyone to pledge to donate blood while living and organs after passing.

 

At the end, the staff applauded the work of MOHAN Foundation and Lions Club. They expressed their intention to speak with their families and pledge to organ donation.

 

Close to 45 participants attended the session