As educators we must be current on our facts and aware of misconceptions. It is important to remember as a volunteer that our job is to educate the public, not to force our viewpoint on others. A particularly sensitive area is minority donation. Native Americans are four times more likely to develop diabetes than Caucasians. Tissue donation has become an increasingly important area to cover in any discussion on donation.
Tissue donation can occur even when someone dies at home.
A donor who donates everything can save up to seven people and benefit up to 50 people. Even then an open casket funeral is possible as all organs and tissues are removed by skilled surgeons. I have volunteered as a speaker at the hospital and at my church. I have worked in organ donation awareness booths at the hospital, at school, at a car dealer, and recently at the Havelock Yacht club. This fall I will teach in 9th grade health classes and in individual fourth and fifth grade classrooms and PTA meetings.