On October 15, 2025, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, Organ Donation Ambassador with MOHAN Foundation, conducted an awareness session on organ donation for students of Carmel Higher Secondary School, Nuvem, Goa.
Mr. Pereira began the session by introducing himself and explaining the work of MOHAN Foundation in Goa, sharing his personal motivation for advocating organ donation. To make the session interactive, he engaged students with questions about transplant hospitals in Goa and the types of organs and tissues that can be donated.
He informed the students that, at present, only kidney and corneal transplants are performed in Goa and provided details about the licensed hospitals carrying out these procedures. Mr. Pereira also explained that individuals who pass away at home can donate tissues or their whole bodies (in cases of circulatory death), while organ donation after brain stem death requires the consent of the family. He elaborated on the brain stem death certification process, which involves patients—often those who have suffered road traffic accidents or brain haemorrhages—being examined by a panel of four doctors through two tests conducted six hours apart.
In addition, Mr. Pereira urged students to remind their parents to always wear helmets, even for short rides, underscoring the importance of road safety in preventing head injuries and potential loss of life. He shared that approximately 80 people in Goa are currently awaiting kidney transplants and emphasised that a single “yes” can give the “Gift of Life” to many.
The session was attended by nearly 500 students.
Mr. Pereira expressed his gratitude to the Principal, Sr. Marinelle AC, the management, teachers, and students for providing MOHAN Foundation the opportunity to conduct this awareness programme. He also thanked Tr. Yogita Vernekar for coordinating the session and ensuring its success.
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