On May 25, 2024, MOHAN Foundation conducted an organ donation awareness session at Mother’s Miracle School, Rishikesh in association with Lions Club Rishikesh Devbhoomi, Rishikesh. The invitation was extended by Ms. Deepti Bindal, Director at Mother’s Miracle School.

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

* 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.

* MOHAN Foundation’s 24*7 Helpline Number

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:

* If someone is declared brain dead, how much time does the family have to decide whether they want to proceed with organ donation or not?

* If the patient is on a ventilator, does the family have the right to request the doctors to conduct an apnea test?

* If a patient is far down the waiting list and is in serious condition, are they given priority?

* What is the survival rate for living kidney recipients?

Ms. Bindal mentioned that when organ trafficking was reported in the news, it was because of the shortage of organs and the waiting list was very long. However, she urged the audience that if people decide to donate their organs after death, organ trafficking in India could be eradicated.

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

Close to 55 participants attended the session.