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.
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.
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.
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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.
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).
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).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BRANCH OUT WITH EDUCATION
Work with the English Department and have them implement this additional lesson.
For more information, contact the LifeShare Marketing Department at [email protected] or call 405-840-5551.