I am a live example of organ donation, I am asking people too to do so: Juhi Pawar

Nagpur: Juhi Pawar, a medical student from KJ Somaiya Medical College at Sion, who had donated 70% of her liver to her father Ravindra, was appointed as the state brand ambassador for organ donation last March. Juhi was honoured by the Maharashtra governor for her exemplary courage at the age 20 years in donating her liver. Since March 2015, she has been campaigning for organ donation through various forums.Though Juhi plans to complete her MBBS, she may not go for a MD degree. She says if she gets the desired response during her five-year term as brand ambassador, she would use her modelling talent and platform to continue with promotion of organ donation. TOI spoke to the Jalgaon girl on the eve of organ donation day on Saturday. Excerpts:
You donated 70% of your liver to your father in 2012, but he died a few months later. Yet, you took up the ambassadorship. What is the biggest motivating factor?
My determination and my father. He died of kidney failure six months after I donated my liver. I immediately agreed to the state offer since I wanted to motivate others to come forward and donate their organs, both as live donors for a family member as well as cadaveric donation (after brain death) to needy patients of organ failure. I have myself experienced the helplessness, and so I want people, especially the youth, to realize the importance of organ donation.
What difference have you made in people’s attitude?
This is a long drawn process. Social change comes gradually. I don’t have any big claims as yet to make. But I do believe that though it is easier to convince educated persons, it is very difficult to remove myths, misconceptions and, above all, incomplete knowledge about organ donation. I am just a small step in the ladder. No single individual or organization can change people’s thinking alone. My only regret is that I am not able to give as much time to awareness as I wish to. It is difficult to study medicine and be on the campaign. At present, my mother Kiran helps me with my awareness drive schedules etc.
Do you have your own strategy or are you part of the awareness programmes on state’s directions?
Both. I address rallies, programmes etc. But I personally feel that if I put my brain and heart together I can surely follow up my well-designed strategy. I am very optimistic. In fact, I don’t mind switching back to my career in modelling after my MBBS for promotion and fund generation for organ donation. I have participated in beauty pageant contests earlier too.
Why do you want to leave medicine?
No, I won’t leave medicine completely. I will work as a general practitioner while modelling.
Who is your target audience?
Anyone and everyone, from a farmer, a poor slum man to a big businessman. Anyone can go in for organ failure and everyone can donate.
What is your biggest strength?
I am not a celebrity, like actors. I am a medical student and a live example of what I am asking people to do.