Tag: Kidney Transplant

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Rotary Club of Miramar Hosts Organ Donation Awareness Talk with MOHAN Foundation

Tanisha Cardozo

On September 26, 2025, the Rotary Club of Miramar in Panjim, Goa, hosted a compelling organ donation awareness talk as part of its regular club meeting. The session featured Mr. Gabriel Pereira, Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation, and was coordinated by RTN Dr. Sandhya.

In a first for many attendees, the session also welcomed transplant recipients — Mr. Umesh Dhavalikar (liver), Mr. Mark Rocha, and Mr. Zeon Romano (both kidney) — who shared personal stories that humanized the conversation around organ donation. Their moving testimonies resonated deeply with the audience and offered firsthand insight into the challenges and triumphs of transplantation.

Mr. Pereira opened the session with a brief introduction to the MOHAN Foundation’s work both in Goa and nationally. He highlighted that around 80 individuals are currently on the waitlist for kidney transplants in the state, where only kidney and corneal tissue transplants are currently performed.

Using a detailed PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Pereira walked attendees through the core principles of organ donation — such as the definition of brain death, the legal necessity of family consent, and the possibility of donating tissues or the whole body in cases of circulatory death.

He also explained the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, shared information about licensed transplant hospitals in Goa, and outlined the simple procedure for acquiring an organ donor card.

The testimonies added a powerful emotional layer to the session. Mr. Dhavalikar, Mr. Rocha, and Mr. Romano spoke about the uncertainty and hope that defined their transplant journeys, reminding everyone present that every donor saves not one, but several lives.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Pereira thanked Mr. Sandesh Gadvi, President of the Rotary Club of Miramar, and all Rotarians for their support and warm hospitality. He expressed gratitude to the transplant recipients for their courage in sharing their stories, and reiterated MOHAN Foundation’s commitment to promoting awareness and increasing organ donor registrations across the country.

Special Occasion

Organ Donation in Goa: Dr. Preeti Varghese, SOTTO Joint Director

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

🫀 Every year on August 13, World Organ Donation Day is observed to raise awareness and encourage people to pledge their organs to save lives. This year’s theme, “Answering the Call”, puts the spotlight on healthcare professionals and communities working together to make organ donation a shared responsibility.

Dr. Preeti Varghese, Joint Director of SOTTO Goa, joins AllyCaral.com to share insights on how Goa is advancing this mission through community engagement, education, and public trust.

What is SOTTO Goa?

Established in October 2019 at Goa Medical College, SOTTO Goa is a vital link in India’s National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP). It regulates deceased donor organ transplants in the state and ensures organ retrieval, storage, and transplantation complies with the Transplantation of Human Organ Act (THOA), 1994.

Key functions include:

  • Organ donation facilitation
  • Organ allocation coordination
  • Maintenance of donor/recipient registries
  • Awareness campaigns and medical training
  • Implementation of national transplant schemes

Awareness Efforts in Goa

SOTTO Goa is actively creating awareness through a diverse set of initiatives:

  • Training programs for medical professionals
  • CMEs and CNEs for continuous education
  • Public campaigns including poster competitions, ad films, walkathons, and awareness drives in schools, colleges, corporates, and social clubs.

These efforts aim to normalize organ donation in daily conversations and break common myths that hinder participation.

Common Myths About Organ Donation

❌ “I’m too old to donate.”
 ✅ Age is not a barrier. Anyone above 18 can pledge. Medical suitability is determined later.

❌ “My body will be disfigured.”
 ✅ Organs are retrieved with surgical precision and dignity — similar to any medical surgery. There is no disfigurement.

How to Pledge in Goa

It’s simple:
👉 Visit notto.abdm.gov.in and register your pledge online.

A printable donor card and digital acknowledgment will be provided.

The Reality: Shortage Still Persists

India’s organ donation rate stands at just 0.6 per million population. In Goa, only kidney and cornea transplants are currently available, and as of now, 80 patients are on the deceased donor kidney transplant waiting list under the Nave Jivit scheme.

Public Attitude: A Slow but Steady Shift

Dr. Varghese believes public attitudes are shifting — but more people need to step forward.

“Organs can’t be manufactured or bought. Only one human can save another through donation,” she emphasizes.

The Role of Youth and Institutions

Dr. Varghese calls on students and schools to take the lead in creating conversations around organ donation:

“The right time to talk is now — when we’re healthy, surrounded by friends and family — not in times of grief.”

Final Message:

“#SayYesToOrganDonation.”
 Let’s step forward and support this noble cause. Your decision today could give someone else a tomorrow.