Vinod Vishwakarma is preparing for an incredible journey in a remarkable show of advocacy and resolve. He is a motorcycle mechanic turned organ donation advocate. Vinod will set off on his motorcycle from Andheri, in the center of Mumbai, and ride it 2000 kilometers all the way to Nepal, raising awareness of kidney disease and the urgent need for organ donation along the way. Vinod has a very intimate journey. Kidney failure was the life-altering diagnosis he received in 2010. Like many, he had failed to notice the disease’s warning indications until it had advanced to a dangerous level. Vinod’s life changed when he received a kidney transplant under the kind supervision of the Narmada Kidney Foundation. Appreciative of his second opportunity, Vinod started contributing actively to the foundation.
Vinod has devotedly participated in the foundation’s organ donation awareness campaigns because he is passionate about changing lives. With his amazing motorcycle adventure, he is now elevating his advocacy. As he makes his way to Nepal through cities and towns, Vinod hopes to spark discussions about kidney disease and organ donation. He leaves from the Narmada Kidney Foundation office in Andheri. Dr. Mita Shah, a trustee of the Narmada Kidney Foundation and a consultant diabetologist at Global Hospital & Anil Clinic, praises Vinod’s attitude and calls him a true artist who uses his bike as a brush and the road as a canvas. Vinod’s story serves as a symbol of fortitude, independence, and the transformational potential of organ donation.
Established in 1993, the Narmada Kidney Foundation has been at the forefront of kidney disease awareness and support. Recognising the alarming rise in chronic kidney disease cases, the foundation strives to educate individuals about kidney health, provide guidance to patients, and promote organ donation to facilitate life-saving transplants.
Obesity, diabetes, and hypertension stand as major contributors to kidney disease and cardiovascular complications. By advocating for healthy lifestyle choices and preventive measures, the foundation aims to stem the tide of kidney disease incidence and improve overall public health.
Dr Bharat V Shah, Director of the Institute of Renal Sciences at Gleneagles Hospital and Managing Trustee of the Narmada Kidney Foundation, emphasises the importance of prevention in tackling kidney disease.
