Tag: Mohan Foundation

Health

Organ Donation Awareness Session at Bicholim Mineral Block, Sesa Goa Vedanta Ltd.

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Health Desk

On November 19, 2025, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation, conducted an informative session on organ donation for the officers of Block 1, Bicholim Mineral Block at Sesa Goa Vedanta Ltd., Bicholim, Goa. The session was organized after Dr. Sunny Sarkar (MBBS, AFIH) learned about the MOHAN Foundation through the organ donation and transplant helpline at the Purple Fest 2025 and invited Mr. Pereira to raise awareness among the company’s workforce.

During the session, Gabriel introduced the MOHAN Foundation and highlighted its work over the past 28 years in promoting organ donation across India. With around 13 centres nationwide and headquarters in Chennai, the foundation has established an information centre in Goa to promote organ donation awareness throughout the state.

Gabriel explained that organ donation is only possible when a person is declared brain dead. Many people mistakenly believe that organs can still be donated if someone dies at home and the body is taken to a hospital promptly. He clarified that once death occurs at home, the organs cease to function, making organ donation impossible.

He further elaborated that in cases of brain death due to road traffic accidents or brain haemorrhages, medical teams initially make every effort to save the patient’s life. After treatments or surgeries, the patient is moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). If the patient does not respond, an authorised panel assesses and certifies brain stem death. Once brain death is confirmed, families are counselled about organ donation, and their consent is essential for the process to proceed.

Gabriel emphasized that only a small percentage of people have the opportunity to donate organs, but individuals can still contribute by donating tissues such as corneas, skin, or even the entire body after death at home.

The session concluded with Gabriel distributing a list of frequently asked questions on organ donation and sharing a presentation video. This included an animated short film by Shweta Gupta explaining brain death and a film on organ donation produced by ROTTO-SOTTO, Mumbai, to enhance understanding among employees.

Approximately 30 officers attended the session, and 20 individuals took donor cards, expressing their commitment to organ donation. Gabriel expressed gratitude to Dr. Sunny Sarkar and the officers of Block 1, Bicholim Mineral Block for giving the MOHAN Foundation the opportunity to conduct this impactful awareness session.

Health

Organ Donation Awareness at Blood Donation Camp in Aldona, Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Health Desk

On November 22, 2025, a blood donation camp organized by St. Thomas Girls’ High School in Aldona, in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo) Blood Bank, hosted an organ donation awareness desk led by Mr. Gabriel Pereira, Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation. Supported by Dr. Carlos Medical Stores, Aldona, the camp ran from 10 AM to 1 PM and attracted participation from 19 parents and members of the public who generously donated blood.

Mr. Gabriel Pereira interacted with the donors, emphasizing the importance of both blood and organ donation. He explained that a single blood donation can save three to four lives, while one organ donor can save up to eight lives and positively impact 50 more through tissue donation. During the camp, four donors took pledge cards to commit themselves as organ donors.

In addition to personal engagement, Mr. Pereira distributed frequently asked questions about organ donation and shared bike and helmet stickers featuring the organ donation and transplant helpline number to further spread awareness in the community.

The President of Loving Hearts Goa, Mr. Mark D’ Souza, expressed gratitude to Sr. Rosarina Crasto, the Headmistress of St. Thomas Girls’ High School, for allowing the camp to be held at the school premises for the second time, highlighting the collaborative effort to promote health awareness and community service in Aldona.

Health

Blood Donation Camp Organized at Our Lady of Pilar Church, Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Health Desk

On November 18, 2025, Our Lady of Pilar Church, affiliated with the Society of Pilar in Goa, organized a blood donation camp in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the Goa Medical College Blood Bank. The camp, which ran from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, coincided with the eighth day of the novena dedicated to the sick and was held at the Pilar Seminary Hall. Parishioners who attended Mass earlier in the day actively participated in this life-saving initiative, alongside seminarians and priests who generously donated blood.

In addition to the blood donation drive, the camp featured an Organ Donation Information Desk managed by Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador from the MOHAN Foundation. He distributed approximately 30 frequently asked questions on organ donation and engaged attendees in meaningful discussions about the importance of pledging support for organ donation, inspiring many to consider contributing to this noble cause.

Mr. Ranjit Rodrigues, a founding member of Loving Hearts Goa, and President Mr. Mark D’Souza expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Fr. Anthony Joseph Fernandes, Central Delegate Superior at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, for supporting the camp for the second consecutive year. They also thanked all donors for their valuable contributions, emphasizing that each donation has the potential to make a significant difference in someone’s life. The blood donation camp at Our Lady of Pilar Church was a remarkable demonstration of community spirit, compassion, and the shared commitment to saving lives through both blood and organ donation.

Social

CM Visits MOHAN Foundation’s Organ Donation Stall at Purple Fest 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

From October 9 to 12, 2025, the International Purple Fest transformed Panjim into a vibrant hub of inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment. Among the many highlights was a life-changing initiative by the MOHAN Foundation, where organ donation ambassador Mr. Gabriel Pereira hosted a four-day awareness stall at the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) complex.

Organised by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and United Nations India, Purple Fest 2025 drew participation from across the country. Within this larger event, the MOHAN Foundation’s presence offered a vital platform to educate and encourage citizens about the importance of organ donation.

Gabriel Pereira, with quiet determination and passion, managed the stall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. He distributed over 500 flyers and personally engaged with visitors, addressing common concerns and misconceptions around organ donation. His efforts bore fruit as 30 individuals pledged to become organ donors—a significant achievement during a four-day awareness campaign.

The stall gained special attention when the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, visited and interacted with the team. Accompanying him were Mr. Subhash Phal Desai, the Minister of Social Welfare, River Navigation, Archives, and Archaeology, and Shri Rahul Gupta, IPS, the Superintendent of Police for North Goa. Their presence underscored the state government’s support for such social impact initiatives.

Mr. Pereira also acknowledged the support and encouragement of Mr. Prakash Kamat, a senior journalist, the National Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the First Sutra Foundation, and a key member of the Goa State Advisory Board on Disability. His advocacy for inclusive initiatives continues to be a driving force in the state’s social ecosystem.

The organ donation awareness campaign at Purple Fest 2025 stands as a shining example of how individual commitment, institutional support, and public engagement can come together to create lasting impact. It wasn’t just about pledges; it was about spreading hope and empowering people with knowledge that could one day save lives.

Social

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.