Transgenders pledge to donate eyes

Coimbatore, Jan 18 (ANI): A group of transgenders in Tamil Nadu on Monday pledged to donate their eyes as a part of the Transgender Day celebrations in the state.

Every year, transgenders here celebrate Transgender Day on January 18, even though they are still awaiting an official nod to declare the day in their honour.

Celebrations continue for a week during which transgendered persons engage themselves in various social and welfare activities, and this year they have come forward to donate their eyes.

"We have organised eye donation drive to send a message to the society and to create awareness about organ donation," said Sangeetha, Vice President of the state's Transgender Welfare Association

"This year, more than 2,000 of our members have come forward to donate their body organs, including eyes," Sangeetha added.

About 500 transgendered persons gathered in Coimbatore city to sign up for the cause.

"We feel very happy to donate our eyes which would benefit the needy after our death," said Vidhya, an eye donor. (ANI)