High School Outreach Program

Donate Life Northwest offers a comprehensive educational program to inform high school students about a national public health crisis: the shortage of organs and tissues available for transplant. This program gives students foundational knowledge about organ and tissue donation, enabling them to make an educated decision about becoming a donor. Our in-class services combine an introduction to the processes of transplantation with personal stories of donation. The program also encourages students to discuss the topic of donation with their families.

Our educational materials are designed to provide educators with the information and resources they need to approach the topic of organ and tissue donation in the classroom. The curriculum we present is suitable for health, science, debate, and social studies classes, among others. Donate Life Northwest offers several options that can be adapted to the length of class and the age and experience of the students. Our program can be tailored to suit most classroom needs.

Our high school programs have a powerful effect on students. Here’s what some of them have to say:

"The evening after your presentation I went home and hugged my mom and dad. I also called my brother and sister, and I told them that I loved them. Thanks again for teaching me not to take life for granted."
- Anne

"I’ve been meaning to talk with my parents about signing an organ donor card and you have given me the facts I need to carry on an informative conversation with my parents about it."
- Chelsea

"Informative, genuine, and heart-warming."

"Thank you for introducing me to the Oregon Donor Program and filling my mind with interesting facts about transplants as well as clearing up all questions I had. It gives [me] faith to know that the Donor Program saves lives and gives people a second chance. And most importantly [transplantation] truly works.
- Bob

"It was very informative and greatly expanded my understanding of transplantation."
- Erin

Click here to Request Materials/Speaker for your classroom.

Our in-class services include:

• Trained guest speakers
Every year Donate Life Northwest reaches thousands of students through our informative and thought-provoking presentations. Our trained guest speakers include transplant recipients, transplant candidates, living donors, donor families, and health professionals. All have a personal connection to organ and tissue donation and offer a unique perspective on this important issue. During these presentations, speakers cover general information about organ and tissue donation as well as the impact it can have on the lives of recipients and donor families.

• Organ and tissue donation curriculum tools
Copies of Decision: Donation, the national curriculum on organ and tissue donation, are available free to high school teachers through Donate Life Northwest. This education program, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is designed for easy application in a variety of classes at the high school level. It offers timely and comprehensive information on donation and the role each of us can play in saving or enhancing the lives of others.

• Videos, with accompanying teacher guides
Share Your Life, Share Your Decision (16 min) is a compelling video that dramatically tells the stories of a 22-year-old heart transplant recipient, as well as three teens: one awaiting a kidney transplant, one whose family chose to donate his uncle's organs and save lives, and one who enjoys being able to run and jump - and just breathe - with her new heart. This video is specifically designed for teenagers and is presented in an engaging and dynamic format. The Share Your Life, Share Your Decision video is accompanied by a teacher guide and a student workbook.

Flow (16 min), an urban drama targeted to high school students, is a contemporary depiction of an encounter between a donor family member and a recipient, who relates his story to his experience as a club DJ. The emotional story helps young people understand the life and death struggle experience by those in need of transplants and families faced with the decision to donate organs. The Flow resource kit includes a video, curriculum guide, and support information. The amount of time for each lesson varies from one class period to several weeks, depending on the needs of the teacher and what is appropriate for the students. The lesson plans are designed to be adaptable and are appropriate for use in science, health, social studies, and debate, among others.

No Greater Love (16 min. or 57 min.) is an emotionally moving documentary film focused on the increasing need for healthy transplantable organs in the United States, as well as the healing that may come through the act of donation. The film follows several families, healthcare providers, and recipients to weave together the dramatic story of organ donation and transplantation. Narrated by Angela Lansbury, we watch these stories through the agonizing wait of a phone call and a donor, to the loss and rebirth of life. No Greater Love details the roller coaster ride of organ donation and transplantation, displaying the number of lives saved by one decision and that from tragedy, hope can rise again. The full film is 57 minutes in length – a 16-minute version is also available.

Pass It On II (10 min) presents accurate and straightforward information on donation. Patients waiting for organs, transplant recipients, members of donor families, teens and adults all share their stories, answer frequently asked questions, and dispel myths so that those who view the video can make informed decisions regarding donation and share those decisions with their families. The storyline is based on a fictional group of driver’s education students with a challenging assignment. This video also features footage of Coach Tom Landry as well as an interview with former San Antonio Spurs basketball star, Sean Elliott. The Pass It On II resource kit presents a video, supporting information, and multiple lesson plans that function in conjunction with one another and are adaptable to classroom needs.

• Displays and quilts, available on-loan to schools and community events
As a student, educator, or community member, you can showcase our tabletop displays or our “Threads of Life” quilts in your area.

• Student volunteer opportunities
Help spread the word about organ and tissue donation, and Become a Volunteer. Discover simple things you can do to raise awareness in your community. Donate Life Northwest has numerous ways to Get involved!