Hello, I'm Ms. T.

Welcome to today's lesson.

As part of our unit on Physical Health: How can Physical Health Affect Others? we're going to be looking particularly today at "Organ and Blood Donation." So, our lesson outcome for today, I can explain the importance of organ and blood donation and how to become a donor.

This lesson covers some sensitive subjects that some students may find upsetting.

It's advised that you have adult supervision for this session, so there's someone for you to talk to about some of the issues that may come up.

Before we get started on today's lesson, it's really important that we think about the ground rules that we follow when we're having discussions in our classrooms. We've got Laura, firstly, saying "Listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

And when we disagree, we challenge the statement, we don't challenge the person." We've got Jacob saying, "No judgement.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged." Andeep tell us to respect privacy.

He says, "We can discuss examples, but we do not use names or descriptions that could identify anyone, including ourselves." And finally, Izzy reminds us to choose the level of participation that is right for us.

"Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join a discussion.

We never put anyone on the spot." So, with those in mind, let's get started with today's lesson.

Throughout the lesson today, we're going to be looking for five keywords.

Our first word is donation.

And in this context, that means the act of giving blood or organs to help someone in need.

Our next keyword is going to be bone marrow, which is the soft tissue inside our bones that produces blood cells.

Thirdly, we're looking for the word transfusion, and that's the process of transferring donated blood to a patient in need.

We're going to be using the phrase ethical consideration, which is the evaluation of what is right and wrong.

And finally, the word consent.

And in this context, that means permission for something to happen or an agreement to do something.

As we go through this lesson, see if you can notice where these words are used and in which context, and also see if you can use them in your own responses.

So, we have three learning cycles for today's lesson on organ and blood donation.

Firstly, we're talking about why is blood and organ donation important.

Secondly, we're talking about how does someone become a donor? And thirdly, we're going to be looking at what are the ethical considerations of donation? So, let's get started with our first lesson outline.

Why is blood and organ donation important? So, people donate, which means to give, in lots of different ways.

We've got Izzy here.

She says, "I donated money to charity for our non-uniform day last week." And Andeep says, "My mum donated some of my old toys to a local charity because these can be sold to raise money.

She also volunteers at a retirement home once a week." So, we see Andeep's mum donating time.

But it's not just money.

We can donate objects and our time like Andeep's mum, to others.

But we can also donate our blood, our organs, and tissue to others.

Dr.

Elsie says that "Donations are crucial to help save the lives of thousands of people each year." Different types of donation includes, blood donation, organ donation, and tissue and stem cell donation, and that comes from our bone marrow.

Dr.

Elsie here says that "there are many reasons that people might need a blood transfusion.

This could be because of a loss of blood through an injury or an operation.

Or someone may need healthier blood with more platelets, if they're being treated for a disease like cancer." But we don't all have the same type of blood.

Your blood group is determined by the genes you inherit from your parents.

And there are four main blood groups.

There's group A, group B, group AB, and group O.

We've got Dr.

Elsie here.

And she says, "You can only receive a blood transfusion from a donor with the right type of blood that would match yours." That doesn't necessarily mean that you can only get blood from someone with the same blood type, but it has to match.

Dr.

Elsie also says that "blood donations are extremely important.

One pint of blood has the potential to save or improve the lives of three people.

And a donor can donate up to four times a year.

Platelets taken from donated blood can help as many as 12 people as they can help with blood clotting and reduce bleeding." So, in this check for understanding, we want you to answer the question, how many people can be helped from just one pint of blood? Pause your screen while you think about your answer.

So, in this check for understanding, you are answering the question, how many people can be helped from just one pint of blood? And if you put that the answer was three, then you'd be correct.

Well done! So, Dr.

Elsie says about organ donation that "Sometimes organs become weak or stop working, and this puts someone's life at risk.

Doctors can transplant organs from a donor to the recipient, and this can save their life.

In the UK, there are currently nearly 8,000 people waiting for a life saving organ transplant." Some organs can be donated while the donor is alive.

For example, a living donor can donate a kidney or part of their liver because human bodies can function with one kidney and livers can regenerate back to full size.

Dr.

Elsie says that "Most living organ donors are a close relative or friend of the recipient.

However, sometimes living donors may donate anonymously to someone that they don't know." Other organs such as the heart, lungs, intestines, and pancreas can be donated after the donor has died.

And Dr.

Elsie says, "Organ donation can be difficult to think about.

And if you are worried about this in any way, then you should always speak to a trusted adult.

Organ donations can transform the lives of people who are in need of life saving transplants.

Since April, 2024, 3,165 people have received a transplant.

Just one person can go on to save up to nine lives through organ donation." So, in this check for understanding, is it true or false that most living donors are anonymous? Pause your screen while you think about your answer.

If you said that you thought that most living donors are anonymous was a false statement, then you would be correct.

And that's because although some donors are anonymous, most living donors will be a close friend or relative of the recipient.

So, now let's talk about tissue and stem cell donation.

Dr.

Elsie says that "Tissue and stem cells can be taken from the body and transplanted to a recipient to help treat people with blood cancer, blood disorders, or to replace someone's organ tissue that is damaged." Stem cells are made in the bone marrow, and this is a spongy tissue that is found in the centre of larger bones such as hips, pelvis, sternum, and legs.

Transplanting stem cells from bone marrow or organ tissue can mean a recipient can start to grow their own healthy stem cells.

So, stem cell donations are important because stem cells can grow into any other cell, which means that they can be used to treat a wide range of blood cancers and disorders.

And as a result, stem cell donors help save hundreds of lives in the UK every year.

So, in this check for understanding, can you rewrite this sentence to correct the highlighted misconceptions? There are three main blood groups, and they are X, Y, and Z.

So, can you correct the highlighted misconceptions and rewrite this sentence.

Pause your screen while you think about your answer.

Well done! If you rewrote this sentence to say that there are actually four main blood groups, and that they are A, B, AB, and O, then you'd be correct.

So, thinking about our first task.

Alex and Andeep are discussing organ donations.

And I'd like you to rewrite their conversation to correct the misconception.

Alex begins by saying, "Blood donations are crucial for saving lives.

You can receive a blood donation from any donor." And Andeep says, "Organ donations are also important for helping others to live their lives to the fullest.

Currently, nearly 8,000 people are waiting for a transplant, but there are no organs you can be a living donor for." So, can you rewrite the conversation to correct the misconceptions in these statements? Pause your screen while you think about your response.

If your rewritten conversation looked like this: Blood donations are crucial for saving lives.

However, you can't receive a blood donation from any donor.

There are four main blood groups and you can only receive a transfusion from a matching donor.

Then you would've corrected that first statement from Alex.

And if your rewritten conversation from Andeep said, "Organ donations are also so important for helping others to live their lives to the fullest.

Currently, nearly 8,000 people are waiting for a transplant." Some organs such as a kidney or parts of the liver can be donated by a living donor, but others can only be donated after death, then you'd be correct.

Well done! So, if we look at our second lesson outline for today, how does someone become a donor? So, Dr.

Elsie says here that "Becoming a donor is a process with a number of steps, and there are specific criteria that donors need to meet.

And that not everyone can become a donor." In the process of blood donation, firstly, we need to ensure the potential donor meets the criteria.

So, firstly, age, donors need to be between 17 to 65.

Weight, donors need to be within a weight guidance limit for donation.

And health, donors need to be in general good health and not have any conditions that may prevent them from donating.

So, if someone wanted to become a donor, the first thing they would do would be to register with the NHS to become a donor and book an appointment.

And at the appointment, a potential donor will complete a questionnaire on their health, travel history, lifestyle, and any medications they might be taking.

They will then have a finger prick test where a small amount of blood is withdrawn from medical screening.

The process of donating blood only takes about 15 minutes, and during this time, a donor will be seated in a comfortable chair, a nurse will sterilise the area, and a needle will be inserted into a vein.

It will take about 8 to 10 minutes to collect a pint of blood.

A donor's body can begin to replenish the donated blood within 24 hours, but it would take longer than that for it to be fully replenished.

So, in this check for understanding, the criteria for donating blood includes age, weight, health.

Which of these are important criteria for donating blood? Pause your screen while you think about your response.

If you said that the criteria for donating blood includes age, weight, and health, then you would be correct.

So, after donating blood, a donor will be expected to recover for about 15 minutes.

And during this time, a donor will be supported by a medical professional and given a drink and a snack.

They'll also be advised not to do anything too active for 24 hours.

The blood is then sent to a laboratory to be tested and distributed to hospitals for when it is needed.

In the UK, organ donation is on an opt-out system, and this means that unless a person has opted out, they are automatically considered a donor when they die.

For living donors, this is voluntary.

If someone does not opt-out, their family would be consulted and always involved in any decisions that were made.

Even if someone would like to be an organ donor, very few people can donate.

And this is because not all organs are viable, which means able to work successfully in a recipient's body.

So, the word viable comes from vi from the Latin word vita, meaning life, and able meaning to be possible.

Approximately, 3,000 organ transplants take place every year, but there are many more people who need a transplant to survive.

The laws around organ and blood donation are different in every country.

But in the UK, it is illegal for anyone to be paid for blood or organ donation.

So, in this check for understanding, can you decide which statement is correct? Izzy says "It takes one hour for a body to begin to replenish blood donated." Laura says "It takes 12 hours for a body to begin to replenish blood donated." And Jun says "It takes 24 hours for a body to begin to replenish the blood donated." Pause your screen while you think about your response.

If you said that Jun was correct, then well done.

So, in our task B here, Jun's Auntie is thinking of donating blood for the first time.

Can you complete the sentences to outline the process for her? The sentences read.

Firstly, you need to make sure that you meet all of the.

This includes.

And.

Following this, you register online and attend your first appointment.

A medical professional will help you to complete a health and lifestyle.

And you will have a finger prick.

To screen the blood.

After this, you'll be seated and a.

Will be inserted to withdraw the blood.

This will only take.

To.

Minutes.

Finally, you will be given a.

And.

And need to avoid being too.

For 24 hours.

Your blood will begin to.

Itself within.

Hours.

So, pause your screen while you complete those sentences.

So, your completed outline for Jun's auntie should look like this.

Firstly, you need to make sure that you meet all of the criteria, this includes age, weight, and health.

Following this, you register online and attend your first appointment.

A medical professional will help you to complete a health and lifestyle questionnaire, and you will have a finger prick test to screen the blood.

After this, you'll be seated and a needle will be inserted to withdraw the blood.

This will only take 8 to 10 minutes.

Finally, you'll be given a drink and snack.

And need to avoid being too active for 24 hours.

Your blood will begin to replenish itself within 24 hours.

So, moving on to our final lesson outline for today, what are the ethical considerations of donation? Becoming an organ donor is a personal decision.

To some people, there may be ethical considerations or personal views that need to be considered before becoming a donor.

Dr.

Elsie says that "When organ donation is considered, this is always done according to a donor's religious or cultural beliefs and with the support of their family." Before 2020, there was an opt-in system and after 2020, there was an opt out system.

So, before 2020, the UK had an opt-in system for organ donors, and this meant that you had to register to become a donor.

After 2020, this changed to an opt-out system, and this means that everyone over the age of 18 is considered to be a potential organ donor unless they opt-out.

Dr.

Elsie tells us that "The opt-out system was brought in because there was a serious shortage of donors.

And since the system changed, the amount of organ donations each year has nearly doubled." So, in this check for understanding, can you circle the date when the organ donor system in the UK changed from opt-in to opt-out? Pause your screen while you think about your response.

Well done! If you said that the answer was 2020, then you would be correct.

If someone is under the age of 18, then they are still able to make a decision about their organ donation, and can make this clear on the government's organ donation register.

In situations where a donation decision is needed for someone under the age of 18, the family will be consulted to make the decision or give consent.

For some people, a personal consideration regarding organ donation might be their religious or cultural views.

Some people would prefer their body to remain intact after death.

No major religion completely bans organ donation, but some beliefs and traditions may discourage it.

For other people, they may have an ethical consideration about organ donation, and these might include concerns about being an organ donor without giving clear informed consent, feeling pressured to be a donor, or worries about how people are selected to be the recipient of a donation.

Recipients of organ donation are decided entirely on how urgent the transplant is needed, the compatibility of their blood group and tissue, and their similarity of age with the donor.

The decision whether to opt-out or stay opted-in is a big decision, and people's opinions should always be respected.

So, in this check for understanding, you are going to decide whether this statement is true or false.

Some people may choose not to be an organ donor because of ethical considerations.

Is this statement true or false? Pause your screen while you think about your answer.

If you said that you thought that this statement was true, then you would be correct.

So, in task C, Andeep is completing a project on organ donation.

Can you help Andeep to write the final paragraph of this project by explaining why the UK changed the donor system in 2020 and why some people may choose to opt out of organ donation.

Pause your screen while you write that response.

So, your paragraph for Andeep's project may have looked like this.

In 2020, the UK changed from an opt-in system to an opt-out organ donation system to increase the amount of organ donors as there was a serious shortage of donors.

This has nearly doubled the amount of transplants that happen each year.

However, some people may have personal or ethical considerations that mean they opt out of organ donation.

These can include religious beliefs, or because some people may be concerned about becoming an organ donor without giving clear consent.

So, in summary today, you can donate blood up to four times a year and receiving a blood transfusion can save someone's life.

You can also donate organs and stem cells, which can also save lives.

Most people who receive a transplant from a living donor are a close friend or relative, and many organ donations happen once a donor has died.

In the UK, organ donation is an opt-out system, meaning everyone is considered to consent to being a donor unless they register to opt-out.

And personal and ethical considerations play a significant role in the decision to donate.

Ultimately, being an organ or blood donor is a personal choice.