On May 17, 2025, MOHAN Foundation was invited to conduct an organ donation awareness session at Raj-Shri Children Academy, Shyampur, Rishikesh, in collaboration with the Lions Club Rishikesh Devbhoomi. The invitation was extended by Mr. Rajender Pandey, Director of the school. Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader at MOHAN Foundation based at AIIMS Rishikesh, served as the resource person for the sessions.

Two sessions were conducted—one for senior secondary students, which was attended by 40 participants, and another for the teaching staff, with 17 participants.

The session began with Mr. Sanchit inviting participants to share what they already knew about organ donation. He then gave a comprehensive presentation covering various aspects of organ donation in India. Topics included:

• What organ donation is and why it is important

• Who can be an organ donor

• The difference between living and deceased donors

• Organs that can be donated during life and after death

• Understanding brain death

• The difference between coma and brain death

• Eye and skin donation, including cornea preservation after death

• The Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994

• Whole body donation

• Living kidney transplantation facility at AIIMS Rishikesh

• Myths and facts about organ donation

• How individuals can contribute to this noble cause

• Objectives of MOHAN Foundation and the Anudaan initiative

• MOHAN Foundation’s 24/7 organ donation helpline

Towards the end of the session, Mr. Sanchit emphasized the urgent need for greater awareness and encouraged participants to discuss organ donation with their family, friends, and community.

One participant shared that her entire family had already registered for eye donation.

The session was highly interactive, with participants eagerly engaging in discussions and asking several questions, such as:

• Can a person below 18 years of age pledge for organ donation?

• If someone is declared brain dead, how much time does the family have to decide on organ donation?

• Is there a waiting list for living organ donations?

• What are the legal consequences of engaging in commercial organ trade?

Both sessions concluded with participants applauding the work of MOHAN Foundation. Many expressed their intent to discuss the subject with their families and take steps toward pledging for organ donation.

A total of 57 participants attended the sessions.