Tag: SOTTO Goa

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Organ Donation Awareness Talk Held at Holy Family Church, Alto Porvorim

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

An organ donation awareness talk was held at Holy Family Church, Alto Porvorim, Goa, on December 14, 2025, with Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador from the MOHAN Foundation, addressing parishioners on the importance of organ and tissue donation.

During the session, Gabriel shared his personal connection to the cause, explaining how a family member receiving an organ transplant six years ago inspired him to actively promote organ donation awareness. He provided an overview of how organ allocation is managed by SOTTO–Goa and explained the roles of ROTTO and NOTTO in ensuring a transparent and ethical transplant system in India.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, Gabriel explained key aspects of organ and tissue donation, including which organs and tissues can be donated in cases of circulatory death and brain stem death. He clarified the medical definition of brain stem death, highlighted the differences between coma and brain stem death, and walked the audience through the process of pledging to become an organ donor.

Approximately 20 flyers containing frequently asked questions on organ donation were distributed to the attendees to help enhance their understanding. Gabriel also stressed the importance of informing family members about one’s decision to donate organs, as family consent plays a crucial role in the donation process.

The session saw a positive response, with eight parishioners taking the pledge to donate their organs. The talk concluded with Gabriel expressing his gratitude to Fr. Adolfo Alvares, Parish Priest, and Fr. Boris Dias, Assistant Parish Priest, for facilitating the session and supporting the cause of organ donation.

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Organ Donation Awareness Talk Held at St. Francis Xavier Church, Pirna, Colvale

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

An organ donation awareness talk was conducted at St. Francis Xavier Church in Pirna, Colvale, Goa, on December 14, 2025, with the aim of educating parishioners about the importance of organ and tissue donation. The session was led by Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador from the MOHAN Foundation, who has been actively working to spread awareness across parishes in the region.

Mr. Pereira shared that this initiative followed an earlier awareness session conducted for priests of the Mapusa Deanery under the Archdiocese of Goa. Encouraged by the response, the MOHAN Foundation was invited to conduct similar talks across 12 parishes. So far, sessions have been successfully completed in five parishes, with seven more planned in the coming months.

Introducing himself to the gathering, Mr. Pereira spoke about his role as an Organ Donation Ambassador and his mission to motivate individuals and families to support organ donation. He encouraged parishioners to not only consider pledging themselves but also to help spread awareness within their communities.

During the session, he explained that organ donation is possible only in cases of brain death, while individuals who pass away at home can still contribute through tissue donation. He elaborated on various tissue donation options, including skin, corneas and whole body donation, addressing common doubts and misconceptions.

Mr. Pereira also highlighted the role of the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) in Goa and shared information on patients currently awaiting organ transplants in the state. He noted that kidney and corneal transplants are presently the only transplant procedures carried out in Goa.

The session concluded with the distribution of informational flyers containing frequently asked questions to all 50 attendees. Mr. Pereira expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Alvito Cardzo, OFM Cap, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier Church, for providing the opportunity to address the parish community on this vital and life-saving subject.

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.