Early winter chill was no dampener for over 50 cycling enthusiasts who
participated in the hugely successful Cyclothon organised by ROTTO,
PGIMER Chandigarh to kick-start the week long celebrations of
upcoming 11th Indian Organ Donation Day here at PGIMER today.
Witnessing the participation of senior faculty members, youngsters and
cycling enthusiasts, the 15 km Cyclothon was flagged off Prof. Jagat
Ram, Director PGIMER Chandigarh at Kairon Block, PGIMER amid
huge applause.
The other dignitaries gracing the flagging off ceremony included Mr.
Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, DDA, Mr. Kumar Abhay, FA, Prof. Ashish
Sharma, Head, Deptt. of Renal Transplant Surgery, Prof. Virendra
Singh, Head, Deptt. of Hepatology, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Addl.
Medical Superintendent & Nodal Officer, ROTTO, Prof. Kajal Jain,
Deptt. of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care to mention a few.
Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER terming the response as overwhelming during the flag off ceremony, stated, “We’re probably well
aware that there is a huge gap between organ availability and
requirement. Thus, by organising this Cyclothon we want to disperse a
message of a healthier lifestyle, which will not only help you to keep well
in your present life, but will also enable others with a second lease of life,
if one pledges to gift organs post demise.”
Organised with an intent to engage with as many people for the cause of
Organ Donation, the Cyclothon was divided into two legs, with the second
leg flagged off by Prof. A.K. Gupta, Medical Superintendent & Head,
Deptt. of Hospital Administration, PGIMER at the market place of
Sector 7, Chandigarh wherein an awareness stall to pledge for organ
donation was also set up by ROTTO PGIMER, Chandigarh.
Prof. A.K. Gupta had a conversation with young cyclists and counselled
“Educate yourself and others on the proper procedure and give consent
for your organs to be donated after death. Carry your donor card with you
at all times. Your proactive engagement will help creating awareness
about the cause and addressing prevalent myths and misconceptions in
the society.”
