New Delhi: It was an action-packed Sunday morning in many cities across India, especially Gurugram where over 7000, people came forward to join actor Rajkummar Rao to help raise awareness about Organ Donation in India. The event was part of NDTV-Fortis More To Give Walkathon which was organised in 7-cities of Chennai, Bengaluru, Gurugram, Mumbai, Jaipur, Mohali and Kolkata to highlight the challenges facing India, as the country has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the world. The Gurugram (Gurgaon) leg, flagged off by Rajkummar Rao was a 7.5 kilometre stretch which started from Fortis Memorial Research Institute.
Watch: Rajkummar Rao Flags Off Organ Donation Walkathon In Gurugram
Speaking at the event, Rajkummar Rao said,
Organ donation cause is very important. In a nation of over a billion, the rate of organ donation is very-very low and that’s the reason why we all should step up for causes like these.
Actor Rajkummar Rao talking about Organ Donation and why each one of us should come forward for the cause
Highlighting the sad figures of Organ Donation in India, the actor further said,
Only 800 donations happened last year. People are not aware about organ donation yet, and this subject is new for them.
Further busting a myth about organ donation and why people shy away from donating their organs, Rajkummar Rao added,
I love my eyes very much and I want them to be there forever, I will be donating my eyes and also other organs. People are mostly worried about what will happen to the body after Organ Donation once they are gone. They must know that nothing will happen, it will only help in saving someone’s life.
Also Read: Here Is Why India Needs More People To Step Up For The Cause Of Organ Donation
Rajkummar Rao on NDTV-Fortis Organ Donation Walkathon said he will donate his eyes
The actor signed off by saying,
I will be talking about this cause on all my social media accounts to spread the awareness as much as possible.
Also Read: Here Is Why India Needs More People To Step Up For The Cause Of Organ Donation
Watch: I Would Love To Donate My Eyes, Says Rajkummar Rao At Walkathon In Gurugram
This year, NDTV-Fortis Organ Donation Walkathon saw enormous participation from people from all walks of life. The event saw 9 crore steps being contributed across different cities and online.
Currently, every year, nearly 4 lakh people in India are losing their lives waiting for an organ and only 2,500 transplants were made possible in 2017 with less than 1000 people donating organs. Each individual by donating organs can save up to 8 number of lives. To be an organ donor, fill up the pledge form for the organ donor card.
NDTV – Fortis More To Give campaign aims to promote organ donation and encourage Indians to take the pledge to be an organ donor. India has among the lowest rates of organ donation in the world at 0.5 donor per million population, which is far less compared to over 30 donors per million in some western countries. On an average, five lakh Indians die every year unable to get an organ transplant in time due to the shortage of organs. Every year on National Organ Donation Day on November 27, a Walkathon is organised across different cities of India to raise awareness, bust myths about organ donation and encourage people to become organ donors. Over the years, the campaign has gathered support from celebrities like actor Irrfan Khan, Swara Bhasker, Gul Panag and Former Indian Hockey Captain Sandeep Singh.
