Each year, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and Donate Life Illinois partner with more than 100 schools throughout Illinois to provide a free classroom program on donation and transplantation. Taught by organ/tissue donation and transplantation professionals, the program aligns with state standards and addresses this critical health issue that perhaps has already affected a student, faculty member or parent in your community.

Teachers: We invite you to take advantage of this important program, which reaches more than 30,000 high school students each year. Through the improved program, students will:

  • View a 15-minute video featuring high school age students who have been touched by donation and transplantation.
  • Receive instruction from professional staff.
  • Take part in an interactive PowerPoint and activity examining the issue of organ allocation.
  • Hear from and ask questions of a guest speaker who accompanies our trained instructor to describe his or her firsthand life experience with donation or transplantation.
  • Identify organs and tissues that can be donated.
  • Examine common misconceptions to explain the facts about donation and transplantation.
  • Understand the steps involved in becoming an organ and tissue donor.
  • Receive a take-home message for parents.

The purpose is simple: To prepare students with the information they need before they turn 18 and are eligible to join the state’s organ/tissue donor registry.

Schedule a classroom presentation today!
Educate your students on this important topic and provide information to help them make informed decisions about organ and tissue donation. To schedule a program, complete a Program Registration Form and submit it to Mary Schlereth at mschlereth@illinoiseyebank.org. If you have any questions, please contact Mary at 312/706-6771.

Did you know…
Illinois regional superintendents of schools are responsible for obtaining and distributing curricular information about organ and tissue donation. And Illinois law encourages schools that maintain grades 9 and 10 to offer at least one unit of instruction about organ and tissue donation.

Below are useful documents to help get you started with the
Organ and Tissue Donation: Get the Facts program.