The nation-wide campaign was supported by Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, xx at A Million Pledges, Mohan FoundationNew Delhi, November 28, 2016
NDTV in partnership with Fortis Healthcare has hosted the ‘NDTV-Fortis More To Give’ Walkathon to promote and raise awareness about organ donation, in lieu of the low rate of organ donation compared to a high rate of requirement for organ transplants in our country on the occasion of Indian Organ Donation Day. The Walkathon was flagged off by Actor Irrfan Khan, the Ambassador for the NDTV Fortis More To Give campaign along with Ms. Deepa Malik, Paralympic Silver Medalist.
The campaign that was launched earlier this year decided to take up the cause of organ donation in an effort to positively impact the well-being of the nation. It aimed at sensitizing the eco-system, raising awareness around organ donation, creating a nationwide movement for people to pledge their organs and to make the process of pledging easily accessible to the masses
According to current statistics, in India, the current organ donation rate is 0.5 donors per million population as compared to more than 30 donors per million in some western countries.
Speaking at the occasion, Irrfan Khan, the Ambassador for the NDTV-Fortis More To Give campaign said, “I talk about Organ Donation to everybody who is around me. My relatives have faced problems, my nephew's wife has suffered organ failure. Please donate your organs, make someone else live their life: Irrfan Khan, Actor and #MoreToGive Campaign Ambassador.”
Speaking about the initiative, Deepa Malik, Paralympic Silver Medalist said, “When people like Irrfan promote such a campaign it becomes an instrument of awareness. We must initiate such campaigns. The Walkathon is not about walking, the message should prevail.”
Mr. K V L Narayan Rao, Group CEO & Executive Vice Chairperson, NDTV said, “Every year, about four lakh people die awaiting organ transplants because of non-availability of organs. With More to Give, we aim to raise awareness about the pressing need for organ donations and encourage people to join this cause.”
Mr Bhavdeep Singh, CEO, Fortis Healthcare said, “There is a widening chasm between the demand of organs for people at end stages and their availability. Adding to the complexity is the lack of awareness, simultaneously surrounded by superstitions which present themselves as the key obstacles. Donating organs is a humanitarian cause that will gain momentum with increasing awareness in society. At Fortis, we will continue to contribute as much as we can by educating people and saving more and more lives. This walkathon is a reminder that each one of us has more to give.”
As a culmination of the 4-month long campaign, the walkathon was organized across 5 cities – New Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Mohali and Chennai which saw people from all walks of life including students, Corporates, etc. participating in the event.