On October 6, 2025, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador with MOHAN Foundation, conducted an awareness session on organ donation for students at the Holy Cross Indo German Techno Institute, Siolim, Goa.
Through a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Pereira explained the key concepts of organ donation and encouraged students to help spread awareness, noting that around 80 people are currently on the organ transplant waiting list in Goa.
He shared his personal motivation behind promoting this cause, recounting a family experience with kidney failure, where his wife wished to donate a kidney but was unable to do so due to hypertension.
Mr. Pereira highlighted that while many individuals express a willingness to donate organs, very few families actually give consent at the crucial moment. He explained that this hesitation often stems from a lack of understanding about the concept of Brain Stem Death—an irreversible loss of brain function that can occur in cases such as road traffic accidents, severe head injuries, or brain haemorrhages. To help students understand this concept better, he also presented an educational video.
He further clarified that even if a person dies at home, they can still donate tissues or pledge for whole-body donation. He outlined the difference between organ and tissue donation and explained that while tissue banks exist, there are no organ banks, as organs must be transplanted within a specific time frame and only with the consent of the next of kin.
Mr. Pereira informed the participants that currently, kidney and corneal transplants are the only organ transplants being performed in Goa, mentioning the hospitals that carry out these procedures.
He concluded by urging students to share what they had learned about organ donation, emphasizing how their awareness could help those suffering from end-stage organ failure receive the Gift of Life.
At the end of the session, Mr. Pereira expressed gratitude to Principal Ms. Milan Asolkar, the management, and the students for providing MOHAN Foundation with the opportunity to conduct this session for the second time.
Approximately 70 students attended the session, and 5 students pledged to become organ donors by taking donor cards.
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