On November 26, 2025, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation, conducted an awareness session on organ donation for the parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Church in Chicalim, Goa.
Mr. Pereira met with Rev. Fr. Bolmax Pereira, the Parish Priest, to request permission for the session, which was scheduled as part of the Novena dedicated to the sick. The nine-day Novena of St. Francis Xavier began on November 24 and will conclude with the feast on December 3, 2025.
St. Francis Xavier is fondly known in Goa as “Goencho Saib,” meaning “Protector of Goa.”
Mr. Innacio, a parishioner, welcomed Mr. Pereira on behalf of the Parish Priest and the community.
During the session, Mr. Pereira shared that his mission to spread awareness about organ donation began after experiencing kidney failure within his family. He has previously conducted sessions with the Bishop, Auxiliary Bishop, and the 19 Deans of the Archdiocese of Goa, and is now reaching out to individual parishes. He stressed the importance of public awareness, noting that family consent is crucial for organ donation to take place.
He explained the concept of brain stem death and highlighted its significance in organ donation. Mr. Pereira also encouraged parishioners to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers to prevent fatal head injuries. He discussed the role of licensed hospitals in Goa, described which organs and tissues can be transplanted, and outlined the oversight provided by the National, Regional, and State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisations.
Currently, 83 individuals in Goa are on the transplant waiting list. Mr. Pereira urged the community to consider how organ donation can give them a renewed chance at life. He emphasised that a single organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve many more through tissue donation.
Mr. John, a parishioner, shared a moving testimony about donating a kidney to his daughter—an act he described as a true gift of life. He expressed that he felt blessed to have been able to help her.
Mr. Pereira requested the Parish Priest to share the session’s presentation video, including an animated short film created by Shweta Gupta and a brain-death explainer by ROTTO/SOTTO Mumbai, through the church’s WhatsApp group to help further educate parishioners.
He concluded by thanking Fr. Bolmax, the church administration, and the parishioners for their support and openness to learning about this important cause.
Approximately 60 people attended the session.
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