On August 24, 2025, Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation, delivered a talk on organ donation to the parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, Mapusa.

The program was organised by the Social Apostolate Animation Team of the church, of which Gabriel Pereira is a member. Following a formal introduction by social cell members Mrs. Wilma Almeida and Ms. Jasmine Fernandes, Gabriel was introduced alongside Mr. Zeon Ramano, a kidney recipient who received a transplant from a deceased donor.

Gabriel began his presentation with a short video on the Foundation and shared a personal story with a picture of his sister-in-law, whose journey inspired him to become an Organ Donation Ambassador.

Through a PowerPoint presentation, Gabriel explained the key concepts of organ and tissue donation. He outlined which organs and tissues can be donated in cases of circulatory and brain stem death, gave a medical definition of brain stem death, and clarified the difference between coma and brain stem death.

Mr. Zeon Ramano, a passionate art enthusiast and accomplished painter, has won several college-level art competitions, performed as a fire acrobat, and judged art events at schools and parishes. Beyond his artistic achievements, he shared his personal story of resilience—living with kidney failure from a young age, enduring years of dialysis, and ultimately receiving a life-saving kidney transplant. His testimony highlighted the importance of organ donation and the gift of life.

Zeon also invited his friend, Ms. Neshka Noronha, an ICU nurse at one of Goa’s transplant hospitals, to share her experiences. She explained how brain-dead patients are kept on ventilators and described the challenges faced in those final hours. In Goa, she noted, the concept of brain stem death is still not widely understood, making it difficult to obtain consent from grieving families. She emphasised that awareness sessions like these can help communities understand that only those declared brain dead can become organ donors.

Gabriel further underlined the importance of safety, reminding attendees to always wear helmets, as road accidents are a leading cause of brain stem death and potential organ donation. He also shared that there are currently 80 people on the waiting list for kidney transplants in Goa.

The session drew nearly 50 participants, each receiving an informational flyer addressing common questions on organ donation. Twenty attendees came forward to pledge as organ donors by signing donor cards.

Mr. Pereira expressed heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Fr. Anthony Fernandes, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier Church, for permitting the MOHAN Foundation to conduct the session. He also extended thanks to Mr. Zeon Ramano and Ms. Neshka Noronha for their valuable contributions, and to Mrs. Rekha Mendes, the Social Cell Coordinator, along with the entire animation team, for their support in spreading this vital awareness.