Monday, September 13, 2010

More then 12000 people participated in a fortnight-long eye donation awareness camp

eye donation card
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At least 400 people including students from 5 schools in Agra and more than 12000 people from different parts of India through internet participated in a fortnight-long eye donation awareness camp organized by Antardrishti along with the eye bank, S N Medical College, Agra. Students wrote slogans and made posters, after participation in the eye donation workshop, to spread awareness about the cause. “We wanted to sensitise students and people towards the need for eye donation by conducting this awareness camp,” said Dr. Amar Prakash, one of the volunteer for this fortnight camp.
 
Prof D.J. Pandey, in-charge of the eye bank at SNMC says, “Eye donations in the city have witnessed manifold increase over the years, but it is still less than the required number. It is the changing mindset that has brought in the transition, but the myth associated with eye donation has not been completely wiped out.”
 
Mr. M. L. Gidwani, city based banker and cartoonist says, “There is a urgent need to change people’s mindset. The number of people who pledge their eyes for donation is high. However, not all donations come in as at times the relatives are not comfortable with the idea.”  To promote eye donation and fighting out superstitions and mistaken notions about the eye donation, he developed a cartoon based concept, along with Antardrishti. He is working on the basics and hopeful also that very soon it will be available for everyone to use it and will promote eye donation.