On July 26, 2025, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador with MOHAN Foundation, conducted an awareness session on organ donation for students of St. Francis Xavier High School and Higher Secondary School in Siolim, Goa.
Prior to the event, Mr. Pereira had reached out via email to the headmasters of both institutions to discuss conducting an awareness program. Fr. Dilip Tete, Headmaster of the High School, recommended a combined session for students of Classes 9 to 12 instead of holding two separate ones.
The session began with a formal introduction of Mr. Pereira by a higher secondary student. He then delivered a presentation using PowerPoint, which included:
• Informative videos on brain death
• An overview of MOHAN Foundation's work
• Steps on how to pledge and use an organ donor card
• A moving testimonial by Ms. Shreya Siddanagowder
• The trailer of the film Aye Zindagi to highlight the emotional impact of organ donation
Mr. Pereira emphasized the importance of sharing the message of organ donation with family and friends to help patients suffering from end-stage organ failure — ultimately giving them the gift of life, in Goa and beyond.
To encourage participation, he asked students if they knew which hospitals in Goa conduct organ transplants and what types of organs or tissues are transplanted. After listening to their responses, he clarified that, at present, only kidney and corneal transplants are performed in the state.
The session concluded with Mr. Pereira thanking Fr. Dilip Tete, Headmaster of the High School, Fr. Edal Kumar, Headmaster of the Higher Secondary School, as well as the management, faculty, and students for their support in facilitating and promoting the cause of organ donation.
Approximately 300 students attended the session. At the end, Mr. Pereira distributed flyers addressing frequently asked questions related to organ donation.
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