Larchmont Rotary Welcomes Anil Srivatsa
Our club's October 22nd luncheon at the yacht club featured guest speaker Anil Srivatsa, founder of the the Gift of Life Adventure Foundation (aka GOLA). Based in Bagalore, India, the GOLA Foundation works towards increasing awareness of organ donations, domestically and worldwide. It was started in 2016 after Mr. Srivatsa donated a kidney to his brother.
Anil, who is a Rotarian with dual citizenship, discussed his donation story with us. Other organs which can be donated include one's cornea, liver, heart and skin. He addressed some of the most frequent reasons people give for not wanting to donate their organs after death. He discussed the best ways to let other know of one's intentions about organ donation, as it must occur within 15 hours after passing away. He also addressed a question regarding donor registries -- every state has one.
Anil strongly believes that organ donation is a humanitarian act, a way to keep part of your body living after you pass. His goal is to speak to one million people about his foundation. By traveling across four continents, he believes he will eventually get there. For more information about Anil and GOLA:
[Attendees included: President Marion Anderson, President-Elect Lester Nathan, Membership Chairman Michael Gedigk, Club Foundation Chair Marian Anderson, Secretary Ruby Dias, Senada Zukic and Vern Penner, from the Parole Rotary Club based in Annapolis, MD.]
