Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation, recently conducted an awareness session on organ donation for the parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Church in Chicalim, Goa.
Pereira met with Rev. Fr. Bolmax Pereira, the Parish Priest of the church, who requested this talk, which was scheduled during the Novena dedicated to the sick. The nine-day Novena of St. Francis Xavier began on November 24, 2025, and will conclude with the feast on December 3, 2025. St. Francis Xavier is affectionately known in Goa as “Goencho Saib,” which translates to “Protector of Goa.” Innacio, a parishioner, welcomed Gabriel on behalf of the Parish Priest and parishioners.
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During the session, Pereira shared that his mission to promote organ donation began after experiencing kidney failure in his family. He had previously held sessions with the Bishop, Auxiliary Bishop and the 19 Deans of the Archdiocese of Goa and is now reaching out to individual parishes. He explained that people need to understand organ donation, as consent from families is crucial for the process.
He highlighted the importance of brain stem death for organ donation and urged parishioners to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers. Pereira discussed the role of licensed hospitals in Goa, mentioning which organs and tissues are transplanted and the oversight provided by the National, Regional and State Organ Tissue Transplant Organisations. Currently, there are 83 individuals on the transplant waiting list in Goa, raising the question of how they can receive a new lease of life if organ donation is not supported. He emphasised that by agreeing to organ donation, one can save eight lives and improve many more through tissue donation.
John, who is also a parishioner, shared his testimony about donating his kidney to his daughter, giving her a true gift of life. He expressed that he felt fortunate to have been able to save her.
Gabriel requested the Parish Priest to share the presentation video, including an animated short film created by Shweta Gupta and a brain-death explainer film by ROTTO/SOTTO, Mumbai, through the Parish WhatsApp group to promote a better understanding of organ donation.
He concluded by thanking Fr. Bolmax, the church administration and the parishioners for allowing the MOHAN Foundation to speak on this important topic. About 60 people attended the session.
