On March 17, 2026, MOHAN Foundation conducted an awareness session on organ donation at DSB Internation Public School, Rishikesh. The session was organized at the invitation of Mr. Shiv Sehgal, Principal and Ms. Astha Narang, staff of the school.

The session was led by Mr. Arun Sharma, Program Executive, MF Uttarakhand and was supported by Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader – MOHAN Foundation, posted at AIIMS Rishikesh. Teachers and staff members of the school participated in the program.

Mr. Arun initiated the session by inviting participants to share their existing knowledge and perceptions about organ donation, creating an interactive environment. He then provided an overview of key topics, including the importance of organ donation, donor eligibility, living and deceased donation, and the concept of brain death. He also discussed eye and skin donation, corneal preservation, the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA), 1994, and the availability of kidney transplant facilities at AIIMS Rishikesh. Common myths and facts, ways to contribute, and the initiatives of the MOHAN Foundation, including the Anudaan program, were also highlighted.

A short educational video on brain death was screened to enhance the understanding of the participants.

In conclusion, Mr. Arun emphasized the urgent need for organ donation in India and encouraged participants to discuss and make informed decisions about pledging to become organ donors.

The session witnessed enthusiastic and meaningful participation, with several attendees openly sharing personal experiences of corneal donation within their families. This created a supportive and reflective environment, encouraging others to engage more actively. Participants showed keen interest in the topic and raised a number of thoughtful and relevant questions, demonstrating both curiosity and a desire for deeper understanding. Some of the key questions included:

• Are there any age or medical restrictions for organ donation?

• Are the costs associated with organ donation covered by the recipient or the donor’s family?

• How is the prioritization of organ recipients determined?

• What is the process for pledging to become an organ donor?

• How is consent obtained for organ donation in case of brain death?

• Are there any religious or cultural considerations related to organ donation?

The program ended with participants appreciating the efforts of MOHAN Foundation and expressing their willingness to discuss organ donation with their families.

Nearly 80 participants attended the session and 4 registered to donate their organs on official NOTTO website.