Mumbai: Attempting to encourage donation of organs, students of Wilson College and R.A.Podar College of Commerce and Economics here pledged to donate their organs after death.

More than 100 students rallied their support to donate their organs during an awareness campaign organized by Program for Life, supported by Astellas.

Speaking on the occasion Shobana Vasudevan, principal of R A Podar College said, “Today the youth is more responsive and responsible when it comes to promoting social initiatives like Deceased Organ Donation awareness. I think the students at our college and also the ones that come in to participate in the festival will be the best endorser for such a noble cause.”

“Over 90% of end stage organ failure patients inch towards the death within few months to few years due to non availability of organs .On the other hand India witnesses about 1to 1.5 lakhs of fatal road traffic accidents per year,” said Dr. Vatsala Trivedi, Consultant Urologist & transplant surgeon.

“Most of them belong to the age group of 20 to 40 years who can become the organ donors. We must create awareness amongst the people for this noble cause and help precious lives from being lost,” said Trivedi.

“Deceased organ donations go beyond grants, handouts or cash. Only a thoughtful and timely attitude counts in this case and makes all the difference. Such a concept is the need of hour and further awareness must be propagated to give relief to numerous people deprived of a normal and full life,” said Ronisha Chinoy, a student of Wilson College.

The two-day event saw immense interest amongst the young crowd to learn the various issues surrounding cadaver organ donation.