Sri Ramakrishna Hospital Secures World Record for Organ Donation Pledges
Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Hospital has set a new world record for receiving the highest number of organ donation pledges in a three-month period. The hospital received an impressive 45,861 pledges between February and April 2025, a record officially certified by the World Records Union. This achievement follows the hospital’s previous Guinness World Record in 2016 for the most people signing up as organ donors in a single day.
A Collaborative Effort
The record-breaking campaign was launched in December 2024 in collaboration with the Transplant Authority of the Government of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN) and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO). The campaign allowed individuals from India and around the 18-30 age group constituted the largest share of pledges, with a significant portion opting for complete organ and tissue donation.
Awareness and Outreach
A comprehensive, multi-dimensional promotional strategy was implemented to raise awareness, including on-ground awareness programs, street plays, pamphlet distribution, and public speeches. A robust digital campaign was executed through social media, with a unique online link and QR codes developed to facilitate the pledging process.
Pledge Distribution
The majority of donors expressed a willingness to pledge multiple organs, with a significant portion opting for complete organ and tissue donation. Pledges for whole organs such as kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, and pancreas were most common, followed by corneal and skin donations.
Recognition and Gratitude
The World Records Union adjudicators verified the donor forms and details, confirming the record after an extensive study. Upon receiving the citation, R. Sundar, Managing Trustee of SNR Sons Charitable Trust, expressed gratitude, stating, “This recognition is a tribute to the 45,861 volunteers who have pledged to donate organs.” The event was graced by Tamil Nadu’s Health Minister, Ma. Subramanian, and other dignitaries.
