On August 16, 2025, Pope John XXIII Higher Secondary School, Quepem, hosted a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting with a special focus on organ donation awareness. Mr. Gabriel Pereira, Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation, was invited as Chief Guest and keynote speaker by faculty member Mr. Avelino Fernandes.
Mr. Fernandes had earlier attended an awareness session led by Mr. Pereira at the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education and, recognizing its impact, sought to bring the message to his own school community.
The PTA meeting also marked the celebration of the academic achievements of the 2024–25 Higher Secondary students from the Arts, Commerce, and Science streams.
Mr. Pereira began by introducing himself and the work of the MOHAN Foundation in Goa, also sharing his personal motivation for championing the cause of organ donation. To engage the audience, he asked a thought-provoking question: “Can a person who passes away at home become an organ donor?” He explained that while organ donation is not possible in such situations, tissue donation—including eyes, skin, and in some cases, whole-body donation—is still possible. He encouraged parents and teachers to carry this conversation beyond the auditorium, inspiring their families and communities to support this life-saving mission.
Through a detailed PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Pereira covered essential aspects such as:
• The difference between circulatory death and brain death
• Organs and tissues that can be donated in each circumstance
• Time limits for organ and tissue retrieval and transplantation
• The legal framework governing organ donation in India
He also screened an educational video on brain death and emphasized preventive safety measures like wearing helmets while riding two-wheelers.
To gauge awareness, Mr. Pereira asked parents if they knew which hospitals in Goa performed transplants. After listening to their responses, he clarified that currently, only kidney and corneal transplants are performed in the state, with around 80 patients waiting for a kidney transplant.
The session drew nearly 200 parents, each of whom received an informational flyer addressing frequently asked questions about organ donation.
In closing, Mr. Pereira expressed heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Edwin Baracho (Rector/Manager), Fr. Clive Telles (Principal), the other priests of the institute, PTA President Mr. Lancy D’Souza, the PTA members, teachers, and parents for their support in spreading this vital awareness.
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