An awareness program titled “Legacy of Life: Honoring Donors, Inspiring Future Healers” was organized by the Department of Anatomy and the Medical Education Unit of Tagore Medical College and Hospital on November 20, 2025. The MOHAN Foundation was invited to lead the campaign. The resource persons were Mr. Periyanayagam, Transplant Manager, SRM Medical College & Hospital, and Dr. Hemal Kanvinde, Quality Assurance Officer, MOHAN Foundation.

The session was attended by around 250 first-year MBBS students. Brochures on lung health, organ donation, and eye donation were distributed to all participants. The program began with a motivational film, followed by an interactive discussion on cornea donation—covering the how, when, and process of making a pledge.

Dr. Hemal then delivered an insightful talk on the overall organ donation process. She explained the need for organ donation, types and timing of donations, and the critical difference between brain death and coma. She also addressed common misconceptions, the pledge process, and the steps involved in donor registration.

Dr. D. H. Gopalan, Head of the Department of Anatomy, encouraged students to deeply understand the significance of organ donation, emphasizing its profound impact on people’s lives. He highlighted that bereaved families who consent to donation are the true heroes, enabling medical miracles through their compassion.

Mr. Periyanayagam shared real-life deceased donation case studies, which deeply moved the students. He explained how positive interactions, empathetic counseling, giving families time to grieve, and being available to clarify doubts can greatly influence a family’s decision to donate.

The students actively participated in a thoughtful discussion on topics such as opt-in vs. opt-out systems, contraindications for organ and cornea donation, the need for donor cards, brain death certification, legal aspects, and age limits for donation. All queries were addressed by Mr. Periyanayagam. By the end of the session, about 50 students opted to take donor cards.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks. The MOHAN Foundation extends its gratitude to Tagore Medical College for its continued support in advancing organ donation awareness.