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Lesson Plan #1

What do you know about organ, eye and tissue donation?

This assignment is most effective as the first lesson about organ, eye, and tissue donation. 

Objective: Following this lesson, students will have a general understanding of organ, eye, and tissue donation, and knowledge about common misconceptions, a few statistics, and accurate facts. Any remaining misconceptions will be addressed in the online video, by the classroom speaker, and/or through the following lessons.

Time: 15 minutes

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Student Quiz

Directions: Read the following "true" or "false" statements about organ, eye and tissue donation. Be prepared to explain your answers, which are listed below.

When I get my Oklahoma driver’s license, I am automatically registered as an organ, eye and tissue donor?

FALSE. The United States has an “opt-in” system in which those who wish to be an organ, eye and tissue donor need to register. To register, check “YES” when you apply for your driver’s license or ID card at the tag agency. You can also register online at LifeShareRegistry.org.​​​

Anyone can sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor, regardless of medical history or age?

TRUE. Anyone can decide to become a donor regardless of medical history, age, or race. Your medical condition at the time of death determines what organs and tissues can be donated.

One organ donor can save up to eight lives and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of up to 75 people.

TRUE.  One organ donor can donate a heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and intestines. The kidneys and lungs can each save the lives of two people. One tissue donor can donate skin, veins, bone, connective tissue (such as tendons, ligaments, and cartilage) and heart valves, plus two corneas from the eyes. 

Most major religions do not permit organ, eye and tissue donation.

FALSE.  All major religions support or permit organ, eye and tissue donation.

When you are admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life.

TRUE. Whether in a hospital or at the scene of an accident, emergency medical personnel immediately begin life-saving procedures. Every effort is made to save the life of a patient.

Celebrities and wealthy people on the waiting list receive priority for receiving an organ.

FALSE. Organs are allocated according to medical need, blood and tissue type, height and weight. Celebrity status and wealth are not considered. Walter Payton and Mickey Mantle are two famous athletes who didn’t live long enough to get a transplant. 

It is against Federal law to sell organs, eyes and tissues.

TRUE. Under the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984, it is illegal to receive money or gifts in exchange for organ, eye and tissue donations.

 The donor family must pay for organ, eye and tissue donation.

FALSE. There is no cost to the donor’s family for organ, eye and tissue donation. All costs related to donation are paid by the recovery organization.

An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors.

TRUE. The decision to donate does not affect the option of an open casket and families can proceed with regular funeral arrangements. The body is treated with dignity, care and respect throughout the entire donation process.

Organs, eyes and tissues cannot be given to different ethnic groups or the opposite sex.

FALSE. Gender does not influence the allocation of donated organs, eyes or tissues. Although it is possible for a candidate to match a donor from another ethnic group, often transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic background.