Walkathon organised to create awareness on Organ Donation
by Najuka G
Mumbai,
August, 2017: To spread the message and create awareness on
the importance of organ donation, Mumbai Kidney Foundation in association with
Septalyst Lifesciences Pvt Ltd organised a walkathon as part of Organ Donation
Week. Septalyst Lifesciences is a Mumbai based super-speciality pharmaceutical
company focusing on Nephro, Neuro & Critical care products & therapy.
Both MKF & Septalyst, very strongly support the cause of organ donation. Around
500 students of Nagindas Khandwala College & NSS activists participated in
this initiative. The 2 km walkathon started from Nagindas Khandwala College in
Malad and ends at the College gate. The walkathon started with flag off by
Shyam Sunder Singh, MD& CEO of Septalyst Lifesciences & Dr. Vijay
Suchak, Vice Principal of the NK College.
The dignitaries present at the event were Dr. Umesh Khanna -
Chairman of Mumbai Kidney Foundation, Shyam Sunder Singh - MD & CEO of
Septalyst Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd. and famous bollywood celebrities like Azaj
Khan, Swaroop Bhalwankar & Puja Sahu.
Every year 500,000 people die because of non-availability of organs. There
is a huge gap between the requirement of organs for transplantation and actual
availability of organs. This gap can be filled by organ donation. When it comes
to organ donation there is lot of confusion, myths, misconception & fears
among people. Awareness programmes on regular basis must be conducted to
educate people and clear their confusion. This walkathon
is a small initiative planned on the occasion of Organ Donation Week for
creating awareness about organ donation and to motivate people to pledge for
organ donation in order to help those in need of organs for transplantation.
Lot of organisations & NGOS are working for the cause of organ donation in different
parts of country like Mumbai Kidney Foundation (MKF), MOHAN Foundation in Tamil
Nadu, Narmada Kidney Foundation in Mumbai, Zonal Transplant Coordination Center
(ZTCC) in Mumbai, Shatayu in Gujarat etc.
“In India 1,50,000 die in road accidents every year
& around 40% of these are declared brain dead. So, a pool of 60000 probable
organ donors is available with us. If we are able to utilise this pool of
organs, then we can solve the problem of organ shortage for transplant to a
great extent. Last year we only had 723 cadaver organ donors. It is paradoxical
that a country like ours with a billion plus population is having shortage of
organs for transplantation. India has only 0.5 donors per million population
(PMP). This ratio is as high as 35 donors PMP in Spain. This ratio can only be
increased by education & awareness about organ donation. Organ donation
must be made part of syllabus in 8th or 9th standard in
all schools & boards across India. This will really create large scale
awareness about organ donation in every nook & corner of the country,” said
Dr Umesh Khanna.
“Every donor can save 8 lives. We all have got 2 lives and second one
begins when we realise that we have only one. Each one of us can save 8 people
in our second innings by pledging to donate organs,” said Shyam Sunder Singh.
Actor Azaj Khan said that he strongly supported the cause of organ
donation. He said that as Indians we should be more concerned about giving and
nothing can be a bigger donation than the organ donation. He also narrated a
personal incidence where he lost a close relative. His relative needed a heart
for transplantation which was not available and he succumbed. Azaj is also
working with his NGO “Allah Ke bande” where he provides financial help in
getting medical treatment to people who are financially weak.
Swaroop Bhanwalkar &
Pooja Sahu also supported the cause of organ donation and urged the students to
pledge to donate organs and spread the awareness to their families, friends and
relatives. Swaroop Bhanwalkar also sang a song to promote organ donation.
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