Community: Schools on board with transplant scheme

Nearly three-quarters of schools are using an award-winning initiative to help young people learn about the importance of donating blood and organs, according to new research.

Thousands of schools are playing their part in developing “good citizens” for the future, with 73 per cent of state and independent schools across the UK ordering the Give and Let Live educational resource.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is preparing to continue promoting the initiative when pupils return to their classrooms, writing to teachers to urge them to get involved.

Secondary schools are being asked to use the materials with 14-16 year olds, raising awareness among young people about the value of donation, both in life and after death, and encouraging them to think about becoming donors in the future.

Figures from summer 2011 show a five per cent increase in the number of schools now with the pack.

This means more than 3,600 out of nearly 5,000 schools have ordered at least one copy of the pack.

Research shows 92per cent of teachers who use the pack find it useful or very useful, and an extra 800 packs were sent on request throughout 2010/11.

NHSBT chief executive Lynda Hamlyn said: “Give and Let Live is a great initiative and I am delighted to see more schools embracing our award-winning educational resource.

“Young people are the donors of the future so it is vital that we reach them. They are the ones who will help keep blood stocks healthy or could provide a life-saving organ in years to come.

“I encourage all schools to get involved in our Give and Let Live programme.”

The resource includes detailed lesson plans to be used in PSHE (and equivalent classes in Scotland, Wales and NI), Science and Religious Education, as well as activity sheets, real life stories, debating topics, games and films.

‘Give and Let Live’ is dedicated to the memory of Bedfordshire teacher Jeanette Crizzle, who lost her battle to acute myeloid leukaemia in October 2006 while awaiting a suitable bone marrow transplant match.

The pack is available to order as a hard copy for schools or anyone can download it from www.giveandletlive.co.uk/en/teacherszone/downloads.

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