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Summary: Groups of students are characters in a story followed by a discussion in the groups and as a class. The story is about a family that is forced to make a tough decision about one of their children and whether to donate his organs or not. This will help the students with their reading, working cooperatively in a group, speaking in public, and their discussion and debate skills.
* Patient – Sam * Coordinator-Laura * Doctor-Dr. Trulock
* Mother-Lisa White * Father-Tom White
To be played by the same student: * Sibling–Jesse * Nurse–Nurse Myers
Sam: Mom and Dad I’m going out to ride with my friends I will be back later
A few hours later…
Nurse Myers: Hello, Mr. and Mrs. White?
Lisa: Yes?
Nurse Myers: I need you to come down to the hospital because Sam has been in an accident
Lisa: Oh No! We are leaving now.
Tom: What is wrong?
Lisa: Get Jesse. We need to get down to the hospital. Sam’s hurt.
Tom: Jesse lets go.
Jesse: But….
Tom: NOW!
Five minutes later….
Nurse Myers: Mr. and Mrs. White?
Tom: Yes?
Nurse Myers: Come this way please. This is Sam’s doctor, Dr. Trulock.
Dr. Trulock: Hello folks. Sam was out riding his bike without his helmet and was in an accident. They are still running tests to determine the extent of the damage but you can stay in here and visit with him for a little.
Jesse: Wow! Sam looks really bad. I hope he is going to be okay.
Tom: He will be fine. He’s a fighter!
Two hours later
Dr. Trulock: Mr. and Mrs. White can I talk to you in the hall please?
Jesse: I want to listen too!
Lisa: Please just tell us doctor. Jesse needs to know anyways.
Dr. Trulock: Okay. Well Sam we have run several tests and have confirmed that Sam is brain dead. There is no brain activity going on period. So officially, he is dead.
Lisa: What? NO!
Tom: But my boy is still breathing and he still has a heart beat.
Dr. Trulock: The machines are breathing for him. Two doctors, who have not been treating him, have tested and he is brain dead. There is no activity going on in his head at all. However we have a way that Sam can continue to help others even with his death. Laura, our coordinator is going to talk to you about that now.
Laura: Hi. I know this is a very hard time for you but time is of the essence in these matters. Sam is a perfect candidate to be an organ donor. I will answer any questions you have.
Tom: No, absolutely not.
Jesse: But dad Sam was all into the helping others thing! You know he loved to help out at the Boys and Girls club and tutor the middle school kids.
The donation process is a complex series of events involving medical professionals at all levels in varied settings. Federal and state legislation was enacted to help ensure the process is carried out in a fair and efficient way, leading to an equitable distribution of donated organs. This legislation recommended the establishment of a national computer registry, called the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) which houses the national computer registry for the purpose of matching donor organs to waiting recipients.
The OPTN is managed by an organization known as the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), located in Richmond, Virginia. UNOS cooperates with organ procurement organizations throughout the country to place organs and tissues locally, regionally, and nationally.
Here's how the process works: When a potential organ donor is identified by hospital staff and brain death is imminent or present, hospital staff is required to contact the OPO and exchange information on the potential donor and to determine suitability. The OPO staff counsel families on end of life issues, including donation.
If consent for donation is given, a search is made for the most appropriate recipient(s), using the national computer registry. It is common for donors and donor families to contribute multiple organs and/or tissues. Therefore, a single donor may help several recipients.
When a match is found, the OPO arranges for the donated organs(s) to be surgically removed, preserved, and transported to the appropriate transplant center(s). If consent is provided for tissue, recovery occurs after the organ donation process.
How Allocation Works: Those in need of transplants are listed at the transplant center where they plan to have surgery, and on the national computerized registry. UNOS maintains a 24-hour telephone service to aid in matching donor organs with patients on the national waiting list and to coordinate efforts with transplant centers.
When donor organs become available, they are matched to waiting recipients by characteristics including blood type, weight, age; urgency of need; and length of time on the waiting list. In general, preference is given to recipients from the same geographic area as the donor because timing is a critical element in the organ procurement process.
African Americans are at high risk for many illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease that can lead to the need for an organ transplant. That's why it's important for everyone, including African Americans, to protect their health.
More than 90,000 men, women and children are waiting for a life-saving transplant, and 35% of all patients waiting for a kidney transplant are African American. Transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic and racial group. For example, a patient is less likely to reject a kidney if it is donated by an individual who is genetically similar.
An increase in organ donation among African Americans can lead to earlier and more successful transplants for African American patients.
More than 12,000 Hispanics are listed for an organ transplant. Many suffer from diseases which could lead to organ failure. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Hispanics, and diabetes impacts twice the rate of Hispanics than Caucasians between 45-65 years of age. Addressing cultural issues and overcoming misconceptions will help Hispanic families make informed decisions about donation.
Transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic group. For example, a patient is less likely to reject a kidney if it is donated by an individual who is genetically similar.
Life Link Foundation-Where the "Background Facts on Organ Donation" information was taken from along with some of their pamphlets
OrganDonor.gov
Mayo Clinic-Bust The Myths
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organ-donation/fl00077
UNOS: United Network for Organ Sharing
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This work is licensed by Meredith Walin under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 3.0), and is an Open Educational Resource.
Last edited by Meredith Walin on Apr 20, 2009 12:24 pm GMT-5.
