On August 13, 2025, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador with MOHAN Foundation, was invited by the Principal of The Progress High School, Panjim, to deliver a talk on organ donation awareness to the Junior Red Cross students.

The session was organised at the Indian Red Cross Society, Goa State Branch office in Panjim. The Principal, Ms. Maria Ribeiro, welcomed Mr. Pereira and thanked him for delivering this important talk on the occasion of World Organ Donation Day. Mr. John Aguiar, General Secretary of the Goa State Branch, also welcomed the students.

In his interactive talk, Mr. Pereira engaged the students by asking them when Indian Organ Donation Day is observed. He informed them that Organ Donation Awareness Month is marked every July, culminating in Indian Organ Donation Day on August 3rd. When students were unable to explain the significance of the date, he clarified that the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) was passed on July 8, 1994, and shortly after, on August 3, the first heart transplant in India was performed. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare subsequently declared August 3rd as Indian Organ Donation Day.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Pereira covered key topics such as circulatory death and brain death, organs and tissues that can be donated in each situation, the time limits for retrieval and transplantation, and the legal framework governing organ donation. He also showed a video explaining brain death and sensitised the students on the importance of safety measures like wearing helmets while riding two-wheelers.

At the end of the session, Mr. Pereira distributed flyers containing frequently asked questions on organ donation and encouraged the students to share their learnings with their families and friends.

Mr. Pereira expressed his gratitude to Principal Ms. Maria Ribeiro, Mr. Gaurish Dhond (Hon. Chairman), Mr. John Aguiar (General Secretary), Mr. Rio (Program Officer), and Mr. Sachin (Office Executive & First Aid Coordinator) of the Indian Red Cross Society, Goa State Branch, for facilitating the session and supporting the cause.

Close to 45 students along with their teachers attended the session.