Tag: Organ Donation

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.

rip

Baek Se-hee, Author of I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, Dies at 35

Tanisha Cardozo

Baek Se-hee, the South Korean author of the internationally acclaimed memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, has died at the age of 35. Known for her candid exploration of mental health and her ability to articulate the quiet inner conflicts that many face, Baek leaves behind a legacy of honesty, empathy, and cultural impact.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DP8SkZ6AeTw/

Her 2018 book, which was originally published in Korean, quickly became a cultural touchstone. Composed of a series of real conversations with her psychiatrist, the book offered readers a rare and unfiltered look into the daily struggles of living with persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). In doing so, Baek challenged social stigmas and gave language to thoughts and feelings that often remain unspoken.

The memoir struck a powerful chord with readers not just in South Korea, but globally. Following its English translation in 2022, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki became a bestseller in over 25 countries, selling more than a million copies worldwide. Its title—juxtaposing despair with a craving for a beloved Korean street food—embodied the paradoxes of life with mental illness: the desire to give up, yet also the impulse to hold on for the small joys.

The circumstances surrounding Baek’s death remain unclear. However, in a statement released by the Korean Organ Donation Agency, it was revealed that Baek had donated her heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys—saving five lives in the process. Her final act reflects the deep compassion that marked both her life and work. A message from her sister included in the statement said Baek “wanted to share her heart with others through her work, and to inspire hope.”

In a world where silence around mental health is often the norm, Baek Se-hee wrote with courage and clarity. Her words made readers feel less alone. Her story became a mirror for many, especially young people navigating similar emotional terrains. Her book was not only a success in sales, but a rare example of how literature can serve as both a confessional and a collective healing space.

As tributes pour in from readers, authors, and mental health advocates, Baek’s work continues to resonate. Her passing is a significant loss to global literature and the mental health community, but her impact will live on in the hearts of readers she moved and lives she saved.

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.

EduConnect

Blood & Organ Donation Drive at Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, Panjim

Tanisha Cardozo

On September 20, 2025, a spirit of compassion and community filled the halls of Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School in Panjim, Goa, as the school hosted a Blood Donation Camp in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the GMC Blood Bank, Bambolim. In a commendable effort to extend the reach of health awareness, the MOHAN Foundation also joined in by setting up an organ donation information desk at the venue. The event ran from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and was generously supported by Mr. Benson Coutinho, Proprietor of the SAAMAS Group.

The turnout was a powerful reflection of community involvement, with 77 individuals stepping forward to volunteer. After necessary medical screening, 50 were found eligible and successfully donated blood, each contributing to saving lives and making a difference. The event not only promoted blood donation but also used the opportunity to shine a light on the significance of organ and tissue donation, a message that resonated deeply with the attendees.

Mr. Ranjit Rodrigues, a founding member of Loving Hearts Goa, met with Sr. Luisa Botelho, FHIC, Headmistress of Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, to explore ways to involve parents as donors in future events. The conversation underlined the importance of nurturing a culture of donation, starting within the school community. This initiative was further reinforced by Mr. Gabriel from the MOHAN Foundation, who passionately spoke to attendees about the transformative power of organ donation. Drawing parallels to blood donation, he explained that while donating blood could save three to four lives, organ donation had the potential to save up to eight lives and positively impact over fifty more through tissue transplants.

To enhance understanding, informative flyers addressing frequently asked questions about organ donation were distributed to all attendees. These resources helped demystify the process and encouraged participants to consider signing up as donors, either during the event or in the future.

As the camp drew to a close, heartfelt thanks were extended by Mr. Mark D’Souza, President of Loving Hearts Goa, along with Mr. Ranjit Rodrigues and Ms. Sanyukta Gawade, Treasurer. They acknowledged the camp’s sponsor, Mr. Benson Coutinho, as well as the pivotal contributions of Tr. Charlotte Pereira, the camp coordinator, and Sr. Luisa Botelho, for their unwavering support and organisational efforts.

Mr. Gabriel, representing the MOHAN Foundation, also expressed his gratitude to Loving Hearts Goa and Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School for their continued support in spreading awareness about organ donation. Their commitment to integrating education with humanitarian outreach played a crucial role in making this camp not just a medical initiative, but a movement for change within the Panjim community.

This collaborative effort served as a shining example of what can be achieved when schools, non-profits, healthcare institutions, and the wider community come together for a common cause. It was more than an event—it was a message of hope, life, and generosity.