For Riya Narra, a former student at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, advocacy for organ and tissue donation began from curiosity and compassion.
“I first heard about organ donation in my Driver’s Ed class during my freshman year,” Riya recalled. “Then, later that year, I came across the topic again while on my school’s Congressional Debate Team. We were arguing a student-written bill to change the U.S. donor registration system from opt-in to opt-out.”
That debate changed everything for her.
“Doing my own research for that project opened my eyes,” Riya said. “I learned that thousands of people die every year waiting for an organ transplant because there aren’t enough registered donors. That was the first time I realized how urgent the issue was and made me want to do something about it.”
From that moment on, Riya looked for ways to bring awareness to her peers and her community. She joined the Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) chapter at Stevenson and quickly rose to become chapter president. Through SODA, she’s organized school presentations, partnered with local markets and community groups, and collaborated with Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network to host advocacy tables at events like the Pink Divas 5K Walk and Midsommarfest.
“Throughout this process I’ve learned that education is everything,” Riya explained. “So many people, especially high schoolers, just don’t know what organ and tissue donation really means. When I get to explain it, when someone comes up to me and says they registered because of our booth, that’s the most rewarding feeling.”
Riya and her peers have hosted tables at community fairs, given presentations to peers and as well as speaking directly to students about signing up as donors, especially during the time they get their drivers license for the first time. “High school is often when people are asked for the first time if they want to be an organ donor,” she said. “It’s so important that students understand what that decision means.”
Her advocacy is fueled by hope and by the belief that education can change lives. “I wish more people knew how serious the national organ shortage is,” Riya said. “Thousands of people die every year waiting. Donors save lives. One donor can save up to eight lives.”
In college Riya continues her work in healthcare advocacy. “I want to create change in the healthcare system and keep raising awareness about organ and tissue donation,” she said. “Even one conversation can inspire someone to say yes—and that can save a life.”
