ONE ORGAN DONOR CAN SAVE MULTIPLE LIVES.
Mumbai, 17th May 2026: Addressing a meeting of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International, Rotarian Lal Goel, Chairman of the Organ Donation India Foundation and Founder & Charter President of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International, said that India continues to face one of the world’s most severe shortages of organ donors despite having advanced transplant facilities and highly skilled doctors.
He asserted:
“One Organ Donor Can Save Multiple Lives. One Organ Donation Warrior Can Inspire Thousands.”
Rotarian Lal Goel was speaking on “Organ Donation Warriors – A Nationwide Mission to Build India’s Largest Citizen-Led Organ Donation Awareness Network”, led by the Organ Donation India Foundation in association with the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International and Global TV.
The initiative seeks to create a strong national force of trained volunteers dedicated to spreading awareness about organ donation, encouraging organ donor pledges, removing myths and misconceptions, and inspiring communities across India to embrace the life-saving mission of organ donation.
Rotarian Lal Goel observed that thousands of patients die every year while waiting for organ transplants — not because treatment is unavailable, but because organs are not donated in time.
Beginning his address with the famous words of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy:
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
Rotarian Lal Goel said that these words perfectly reflect the spirit of Organ Donation Warriors.
He stated that the country today requires citizens who are willing to step forward, spread awareness, inspire hope, and save lives through organ donation advocacy.
Describing the initiative as “a citizen-led revolution of compassion,” he emphasised that Organ Donation Warriors is not merely a campaign, but a national humanitarian movement aimed at transforming ordinary citizens into ambassadors of life and hope.
He said the movement welcomes all citizens above 18 years of age, including organ donors, transplant recipients, donor families, students, healthcare professionals, social workers, Rotary and Lions members, media professionals, and all individuals committed to humanitarian service.
Rotarian Lal Goel highlighted that one of the unique aspects of the movement is that it is a completely FREE programme with no registration fee or charges of any kind.
He informed that all registered Organ Donation Warriors will receive free online training covering:
Organ donation awareness, Brain death awareness, Legal and ethical aspects, Public speaking and communication, Social media advocacy, Community outreach, and Volunteer leadership
The movement plans to organise awareness drives, seminars, workshops, school and college programmes, social media campaigns, walkathons, candlelight tributes, and public outreach programmes across the country.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Rotarian Lal Goel said:
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
He remarked that organ donation represents one of the purest forms of service to humanity, where even after death, a person continues to live through the lives they save.
He further stated that Rotary’s guiding principle of “Service Above Self” is deeply reflected in the philosophy of organ donation.
Speaking about the need for a citizen-led movement, Rotarian Lal Goel observed that government efforts, hospitals, NGOs, and media alone cannot solve India’s organ donation crisis unless ordinary citizens become active participants in spreading awareness.
He also quoted renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Rotarian Lal Goel stated that Organ Donation Warriors aims to create trained volunteers in every city, district, school, college, workplace, and community across India.
He appealed to citizens to openly discuss organ donation with their families, remove fears and misconceptions, and take the organ donation pledge.
He added that the initiative aims to significantly strengthen India’s organ donation movement and ultimately help save thousands of lives.
Concluding his address, Rotarian Lal Goel quoted the immortal lines of poet Robert Frost:
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.”
He said that India’s journey towards creating a strong culture of organ donation has only just begun and that there are still millions of minds to change and countless lives to save.
The movement has invited citizens across India to join the Organ Donation Warriors initiative and become part of this national humanitarian mission.
At the end of the session, Rotarian Lal Goel answered several questions from the attendees.
The programme was presided over by Inspire President Rotarian PHF Ritika Gupta and was successfully conducted by Inspire Secretary Rotarian Ruby Agarwal. It was attended by a large number of members and invitees and was telecast live on YouTube.
