Why teach about organ, eye and tissue donation?

Each year thousands of Oklahoma high school students apply for their first driver’s license or identification (ID) card. When they do, they are presented with the opportunity to join the LifeShare Donor Registry. Many students are unaware of what being a donor means and how they can potentially save the lives of fellow Oklahomans by checking “YES!” to donation. Providing information to students before they apply for their driver’s license allows them to make an informed decision. The subject of organ, eye and tissue donation is fascinating, easy to understand, and appeals to today’s compassionate youth. Learning the facts about donation and the miracle of transplantation can encourage students to share their decision with their family and friends. By educating our youth about the importance of joining the LifeShare Donor Registry, we can help narrow the ever-widening gap between the escalating number of transplant candidates on the waiting list and life-saving donations.

​Dear Educators,

Oklahoma teenagers obtaining their first driver’s license or state ID card are presented with the question, “Do you wish to be an organ donor?” Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to educate your students about the facts of donation and transplantation and in doing so, empower them to make an informed decision about registering to save lives.

We have lessons on organ donation education. As an instructor, you may expand and enhance these lesson plans to meet certain Oklahoma Academic Standards. We have simply given a foundation for getting started, with the intent of educators being able to tailor the lesson plans to their needs.

About the LifeShare Donor Registry

Prior to 2004, no registry existed for Oklahoman's who wished to give consent for organ, eye, and tissue donation. In April 2004, Oklahoma launched an online donor registry, providing a confidential database which allows Oklahoman's to officially record their donation wishes.

At that same time, LifeShare began its partnership with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, replacing donor cards and the check-mark in the black box on driver’s licenses with a little red heart, and adding the names of registrants to the electronic database of donors. 

By checking “YES!” on the tag agency signature pad, the applicant’s license or ID card is imprinted with a little red heart indicating that the card-holder is a registered organ, eye, and tissue donor and that the applicant’s name has been added to the secure, confidential database.
​
Also on that day in April 2004 Oklahoma became a first-person consent state, meaning the driver’s license represents a legally binding record of a person’s wish to save lives. Once that decision has been made by an Oklahoman over the age of 18, no other person can alter that decision.

Authorizing Legislation

To ensure teens understand the decision they are making when they get their driver’s license or state ID, a law was passed encouraging schools to educate students about organ, eye and tissue donation.
​
OK House Bill 1497 states that “The State Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop and implement in conjunction with the State Department of Health an organ donor education and awareness curriculum for use in the elementary and secondary schools of this state. (Section 2220.6 4/24/13).
Picture

Lesson Plan #1
What Do You Know About Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation?

This lesson is a general understanding of organ, eye and tissue donation and has a student worksheet.

Lesson Plan #2
“Live Life. Give Life. Make the Decision.” PowerPoint Presentation

This lesson will offer a complete understanding of who LifeShare is and what they do. Students will also learn about the vast amount of people on the transplant waiting list and how many people die each day waiting for a life saving transplant.

Online Video Presentations
Organ Donation and Transplantation:  How Does It Work? and Any One, Any Age

Personal stories of individuals whose lives were directly impacted by donation and transplantation.

Lesson Plan #3
The “5 Ws” of Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation – Who, What, Where, When and Why

This lesson plan will cover the following: The Organ Donation Process - The 5 Steps of the Organ Donation Process
Understanding Brain Death
How Tissue Donation Differs From Organ Donation
Transplantable Organs
Transplantable Tissues

Lesson Plan #4
Corneal Transplants

This lesson will give an overall lesson on corneal transplants, including classroom worksheets. You can even request special glasses for your class to try to simulate the vision of a person in need of a corneal transplant.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

BRANCH OUT WITH EDUCATION

Work with the English Department and have them implement this additional lesson.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

Minimal time is needed for these classroom activities.

Classroom ready - Just download the files below.

Live Life. Give Life. Make the decision. Powerpoint Presentation
Click on this image to download the PowerPoint Presentation.
Picture
Click on this image to download the poster.
Download the brochures or request printed brochures to be sent to you by emailing your request to LifeShare Marketing.

MEET KITTRICK
ORGAN DONOR
MIDWEST CITY, OKLAHOMA

Kittrick was truly a blessing to his family. For those that knew him best, Kittrick brought so much joy and love into their lives.  Kittrick loved life. He enjoyed B.M.X. Biking and skateboarding; he could work craigslist like no one’s business! He also had a passion for motorcycles. Kittrick saved all of his paychecks to buy a motorcycle, two in fact;  he was so proud of his accomplishments-he was graduating from Midwest City High School, going to college and from there on to the military. 

Kittrick was an only child. The day his mother received the call her heart broke. Kittrick was riding his motorcycle when he crashed into a car that turned left in front of him.  Kittrick and his motorcycle caught on fire and he suffered third degree burns over half of his body.  He later passed away from his injuries. When the doctors gave the family the bad news, they knew what had to be done. 

“Kit was a kind, loving young man who would do anything he could to help someone else out. It seems only natural to allow him to continue that legacy in death,” his father said in a statement.

Kittrick gave his family seventeen wonderful years of precious memories; donating his organs meant his love of life could carry on within six grateful recipients. 

MEET KAELYN
DOUBLE LUNG RECIPIENT
MOORE, OKLAHOMA

Kaelyn was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 20 months. With the help of breathing treatments and daily medicine she was able to live a very normal life. Kaelyn was a cheerleader from age six through high school and continued to stay active. Then at the age of 22, she almost lost her life due to unexpected lung failure post-surgery for her gall bladder and kidney stones. READ FULL STORY.