HHS Launches Organ Donation Education Program for High School Students

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today released a new organ and tissue donation education program to raise awareness among high school students and to help them make informed decisions about donation. He announced the new classroom resource while talking with high-school students in Washington, D.C., about the importance of organ donation.

Decision: Donation -- A School Program that Gives the Gift of Life includes print, video, CD-Rom, and Web-based materials that teachers can integrate into existing curriculum and training programs. It is designed for easy application in a variety of classes, including driver education, English, health, math, biology, and social studies. For example, there is a simulated blood test lesson for biology classes and an English lesson on how to write a persuasive donor awareness essay.

"April is National Donate Life Month and it has been 50 years since the first successful transplant in America," Secretary Thompson said. "What better time to help our high school students understand the process and value of donation. By giving educators tools to open discussions with their teenage students, we are helping a new generation learn how donation can make a difference in the lives of so many."

A single donor can save or enhance up to 50 other lives. While medical advances are enabling more Americans to receive lifesaving transplants, there are not enough donors to help everyone in need. Last year, close to 6,000 Americans died while waiting for organ transplants. Currently, more than 84,000 are on the waiting list for a donation.

"We are so proud to demonstrate this Web-based education package in a high school classroom where it will actually spur discussion about organ and tissue donation," said Elizabeth M. Duke, Ph.D., Administrator, HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration. "We believe this new approach to organ donation with teens will help them choose wisely as they make what may be one of the first 'adult' decisions -- to be prepared to give the gift of life."

The program guide introduced today gives a comprehensive overview of organ and tissue donation with commonly asked questions and answers about the process. It also examines the science of transplantation, the problems of matching donors and recipients, and takes a look at some of the religious views surrounding donation and transplantation. A panel of experts -- including transplant professionals, high school and driver education teachers, a textbook editor and others with experience working with high school students -- oversaw the guide's development.

The Bush Administration is committed to increasing organ and tissue donation. Nearly $25 million is included in the President's 2005 budget proposal for organ procurement and transplantation efforts and nearly $23 million to support a bone marrow donor registry. To reduce the costs for living donors, the President recently signed into law the Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act, authorizing grants for travel reimbursement to potential donors.

During his first 100 days in office, Secretary Thompson launched the Gift of Life Donation Initiative to focus national attention on the urgent need for donors. Under this initiative, several new efforts have been implemented, including the development of a model donor card and creation of the "Workplace Partnership for Life" campaign that encourages private companies and organizations to provide donation education to their employees or members. This new education program is a key part of the Department's efforts to encourage more Americans to sign an organ and tissue donation card.

More information about the education program and the Gift of Life Donation Initiative is available at www.organdonor.gov.