Nagarjuna supports Organ Donation Drive by Yashoda Hospitals and Jeevandan

Yashoda Group of Hospitals in association with a government institution named Jeevandan initiated an 'Organ Donation Drive' on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Shilpakala Vedika, Hyderabad. The aim was to drive home the fact, that organ donation can comfort and heal millions of grieving families. Donors can actually save and improve the lives of many and become someone's Super Hero. This timely initiative was a grand success with an overwhelming response and participation from over 5,000 people.

Despite India being the world's second most populous country, it has a donation rate of just 0.26 per million population compared to 26 in the US, 35 in Spain and 36.5 in Croatia: the highest organ donation rate in the world. In fact, poor awareness levels and superstitious beliefs are the major hurdles. It is estimated that over 5,00,000 people die every year in India awaiting organ donors. Only 3% of patients awaiting a kidney transplant actually get one. 1,00,000 people are on the waiting list for corneal transplants at any given time. Almost 2,00,000 patients die every year for want of donor livers.

Shri Akkineni Nagarjuna Garu who had graced this occasion, emphatically said: 'I have pledged to donate my organs and be a real super hero now. I want to live and die to the fullest. I want to live on even after my life through the lives of at least seven people and enhance the lives of many more. Yes, a single donor can save up to seven lives. Let us proudly come forward, participate and pass on the gift of life to many, which is the vision for this entire initiative.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. G. S. Rao said: 'This is truly an important event. We endeavour to increase the awareness level, dispel superstitious beliefs and to make it clear that there is an ever increasing demand for organ donors. The wait-list for patients with heart, lung, pancreas and liver failure requiring transplants is growing all the time as well. We are very grateful to have actor, producer Shri Akkineni Nagarjuna Garu who himself has pledged to donate his organs, endorse this initiative.'

Dr. A. G. K. Gokhale, hospital's 'Heart & Lung Transplant' surgeon also said: 'In India, there are over 1,80,000 people currently in need of kidney transplants. And each year, thousands of people die while waiting for a transplant, because no suitable donor can be found for them. The need for organ donors has never been greater. Being an organ donor is a generous and worthwhile decision that can be a lifesaver. Pledging the organs after death will make life more meaningful.'

Dr R. Chandrasekar, Chief Operating Officer of Yashoda Hospitals thanked each and every participant for the overwhelming response on this occasion, including Lions Club International District 316 B, Siva Sivani Institute of Management and digital media partner Samskriti.