Surat: Nilesh Mandalewala, founder of the organ donation awareness NGO Donate Life, was honored with the prestigious "Drivers of Change" award in a grand ceremony held in Mumbai. The award was presented by former Rajya Sabha MP and economist Narendra Jadhav in recognition of Mandalewala's relentless efforts spanning over two decades in promoting organ donation.
Mandalewala’s journey began in 2005, following a personal crisis when his father suffered from kidney disease. At the time, organ donation was surrounded by widespread fear, misinformation, and religious misconceptions. Determined to change this, he launched a public awareness campaign that has since transformed the narrative around organ donation, especially in Gujarat.
Under his leadership, Donate Life has emerged as a pioneering organization, conducting awareness drives 24x7x365 through street plays, walkathons, seminars, and creative initiatives at schools, colleges, cremation grounds, and traffic junctions. These initiatives aim to educate the public and normalize conversations around organ donation.
So far, the organization has facilitated the donation of 1,315 organs and tissues from Surat and South Gujarat, providing a new lease on life to over 1,211 individuals across India and countries such as the UAE, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, and Bangladesh.
Starting in 2006 with kidney donations in Surat, the initiative has now expanded to include donations of liver, pancreas, heart, lungs, bones, intestines, and even hands.
Nilesh Mandalewala has received numerous accolades at the state, national, and international levels. Among the most notable is the "Gujarat Garima" award, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the Government of Gujarat.
His recognition with the "Drivers of Change" award is not just a personal milestone but a proud moment for Surat and the entire country. It reflects a broader movement of social change, inspiring others to look beyond myths and embrace the life-saving potential of organ donation.
