
Meet 19-Year-Old Changemaker Radhika Joshi Raising Awareness for Organ Donation in India
Organ donation is a vital aspect of healthcare, offering life-saving opportunities to patients suffering from organ failure. Yet, in India, the practice remains uncommon due to widespread lack of awareness. Over a million people face organ failure each year, but only around 3,500 transplants are performed annually, highlighting a critical gap in public understanding and action.
The low rate of organ donation in India stems from various factors, including deeply rooted religious beliefs, superstitions, family hesitance, and systemic challenges within the healthcare infrastructure. To counter this, raising awareness is essential for increasing organ donation rates across the country.
In this regard, 19-year-old Radhika Joshi is making significant strides to promote organ donation and its benefits in India. As a passionate changemaker, Radhika and her dedicated youth team visit schools, colleges, and cafes to host informative sessions aimed at enhancing public understanding of organ donation, ultimately fostering a culture of compassion and generosity.
The Start
Radhika has always harbored a desire to effect social change. While in college, she joined the Students' Social Reform Initiative Club, where she volunteered for various causes, including mental health, girl-child education, and environmental conservation.
However, it was a personal tragedy—losing a beloved family member to kidney failure at the age of 17—that truly spurred her into action. This loss ignited her determination to investigate the state of organ donation in India. She discovered that approximately 500,000 individuals die each year due to the unavailability of organs, a statistic that shocked her into action.
With a yearly organ donation rate of just 0.86%, Radhika learned that ignorance and myths surrounding organ donation are significant contributors to this low figure. Moreover, only a limited number of hospitals in India are equipped and skilled enough to conduct organ extractions.
Understanding the urgency of the situation, Radhika was inspired by her elder sister, the founder of Mission Sanskar, which addresses menstrual health and hygiene. With her family's support—albeit initially cautious due to concerns about organ trafficking—Radhika launched her initiative, determined to make a difference.
Efforts
Radhika's initiative, The Second Chance Project, is run by a team of six passionate youths spread across India. Currently focused on Maharashtra and Uttarakhand, they advocate for the idea that healthy organs can still give a second chance to those in need after the individual has passed away.
The team manages various aspects of the project, including technical support, research, social media management, and event organization. They employ innovative and cost-effective methods, such as information sessions, art projects, and street plays to engage the public.
One creative approach the team has introduced is the use of organ donation aprons—decorated with images of organs that can be donated—which they use in schools lacking proper infrastructure. This hands-on method serves as a simple yet effective visual tool to spark discussions about organ donation.
The team conducts sessions in three schools, one café, and five colleges monthly, targeting the youth who are often more open-minded and can influence their families and friends on this crucial issue. To measure their effectiveness, they conduct pre- and post-surveys during these sessions, allowing them to assess the impact of their outreach and continuously refine their approach.
The Second Chance Project also collaborates with the Mohan Foundation to facilitate the registration of organ donors. Upon registration, donors receive an email confirmation and a donor card, while the concerns of the donor’s immediate family are thoughtfully addressed, ensuring that they feel supported and informed.
Impact Created
The primary goal of The Second Chance Project is to raise awareness and dispel myths surrounding organ donation. Many people remain ignorant about this critical issue, but Radhika's initiative is committed to sensitizing individuals, encouraging them to consider organ donation for their loved ones in need. The team measures their impact by tracking the number of people educated, those interested in volunteering, and individuals who register as donors.
Through their efforts, The Second Chance Project has successfully sensitized over 900 individuals and registered around 100 new donors. They have partnered with organizations such as NSS, the Mohan Foundation, and Rotaract to further assist individuals in registering as donors, thereby expanding their reach and effectiveness.
Radhika’s entrepreneurial skills have garnered recognition from the Ashoka community, earning her the title of Ashoka Young Changemaker. She is also a Youth ki Awaaz Action Fellow, a YES Foundation Media For Social Change Fellow, and has participated in national conferences on organ donation, where she shares her insights and learns from other experts in the field.
Way Forward
Currently active in Mumbai and Dehradun, Radhika aims to expand The Second Chance Project even further, reaching more communities and educating more individuals about the importance of organ donation.
Passionate about social entrepreneurship, she aspires to create a significant social impact through her ongoing efforts. Through her fellowship experiences, she hopes to learn from other changemakers and gain insights that will help her address societal challenges more effectively.
Looking ahead, Radhika intends to initiate a program focused on eye donation in Dehradun and aims to destigmatize organ donation within Indian families. By raising awareness among young people, she hopes to normalize the conversation around organ donation and increase involvement in social causes.
Radhika believes that the noble act of donating organs has the potential to save countless lives, and she is determined to make this life-saving choice a more common reality in India. Her vision is not only to change perceptions but to inspire a generation of young leaders committed to fostering a culture of compassion and altruism.