Ameya Uchil: A Youth-Led Initiative Addressing India’s Organ Donation Awareness Gap

India’s organ donation rate remains one of the lowest in the world, at approximately 0.65 donors per million people, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In response to this ongoing healthcare challenge, Ameya Uchil, an 11th-grade student from The International School Bangalore (TISB), founded the DONATE (Diverse Outreach Network Advancing Transplant Education) Foundation in 2022. The foundation aims to improve awareness and education surrounding organ donation through grassroots outreach and digital innovation.

Foundation and Outreach

Since its inception, the DONATE Foundation has a volunteer base of over 100 individuals, including regional ambassadors operating across multiple Indian states. As of 2024, the organization has conducted outreach programs in more than 50 villages and reached approximately 100,000 villagers. In addition, targeted campaigns have been run in over 15 states, engaging more than 16,000 school students.

The foundation’s strategy centers around early education and localized awareness campaigns. Workshops are held in schools, apartment complexes, and corporate environments. The group also works with families impacted by organ failure, offering informational resources and peer connections to support them through the transplant process.

Regional and Community Impact

The foundation's work in rural communities has focused on addressing local misconceptions and cultural hesitations about organ donation. In 2024, the foundation carried out a week-long campaign in Dharavi, Mumbai, considered one of Asia’s largest informal settlements. The initiative was conducted in collaboration with local NGOs and continues to serve as a model for sustained engagement in similar communities.

Technology and Future Initiatives

Ameya Uchil is currently developing a digital application and online community platform aimed at centralizing information and support systems for transplant patients and their families. Future plans include projects focused on technological solutions for organ preservation and logistics.

Conclusion

The DONATE Foundation represents an emerging grassroots approach to public health education, driven by youth leadership and community partnerships. As public awareness of organ donation increases in India, organizations such as DONATE continue to play a role in building accessible, culturally sensitive platforms for dialogue and support.

For more information, visit the official website: www.donatefoundation.org