Mumbai: A late-night call on July 20 turned into a powerful act of generosity when the family of a deceased woman decided to donate her corneas, offering the gift of sight to two individuals. At 10:00 PM, Ganesh C, Senior Project Executive at MOHAN Foundation, received a call from Dr. Uma, CEO of Suyam Charitable Trust, informing him of the demise of her aunt, Gowri Kannan. Despite the emotional toll, Dr. Uma expressed her desire to donate her aunt’s corneas, even though the deceased had previously undergone cataract surgery.
Ganesh promptly coordinated with Sankara Nethralaya Eye Bank, which successfully retrieved both corneas by 11:20 PM. MOHAN Foundation extended heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Uma for her selfless decision and to the eye bank for its swift response.
"This gesture is a shining example of how individuals can make a lasting difference even in moments of grief," said Jaya Jayaraman, Project Manager at MOHAN Foundation. She emphasized the growing need for awareness around organ donation in India, where nearly five lakh people await transplants, but actual donor numbers remain critically low.
India will observe National Organ Donation Day on August 3, an occasion aimed at spreading awareness and encouraging citizens to pledge their organs.
According to the Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee (ZTCC), Mumbai, 80 organs were retrieved from 27 donors as of July 10, 2025. These included 38 kidneys and 26 livers—the highest among all organs. However, last year, a total of 60 donors facilitated the retrieval of 90 organs.
Since 1997, the Mumbai region has recorded 1,185 kidney, 579 liver, 226 heart, and 55 lung transplants—figures that reveal both progress and the vast gap that remains.
Dr. Tushar Palve, Superintendent of Cama Hospital and Chair of the Mumbai City Organ Transplant Committee, said the Maharashtra government is actively working to boost organ donation rates.
“Initiatives include setting up dedicated Critical Care Units for organ donation in 25 government medical colleges,” Dr. Palve said. “Training for interested nursing staff is being arranged, with expenses borne by the state. Additionally, the cost of managing confirmed donors will be covered by institutional funds of the respective hospitals.”
Dr. Palve added, “One deceased donor can save up to eight lives by donating kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and intestines. Organ donation is the only form of immortality that lets you live on through someone else.”
A senior health department official noted that over 14 lakh individuals have pledged to donate their organs, and more than 3 lakh people have registered online with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). However, the official stressed the need for greater public awareness and a robust system to close the gap between demand and supply.
As India prepares to mark National Organ Donation Day, stories like Gowri Kannan’s serve as a powerful reminder of the legacy one can leave behind—one of compassion, healing, and hope.
All government medical and dental colleges in Maharashtra have been directed to observe August 3 as National Organ Donation Day. As per a government order, institutions will organize awareness activities like pledge ceremonies, essay and speech competitions, rallies, and street plays to promote organ donation. A report of the conducted events must be submitted to the Directorate.
