Multi-Organ Transplant Program

One Life...Many Gifts Education Program

With funding received from the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Multi-Organ Transplant Program had the vision to develop a unit of study, One Life...Many Gifts, working with both the Thames Valley District School Board and the London Catholic District School Board.This education program about donation and transplantation was first developed in 2000, in response to our co-op students and student surveys. They identified the need for a formal educational experience that answered the many questions of these young adults. The resources included a teacher's guide, video, CD, poster and family discussion brochure. Using real-life case studies, students explore many aspects of donation and transplantation and come to a thorough understanding of the issue. The students invariably discuss donation with their families, thereby reaching a second target audience.

In 2002, the Health Care Public Relations Association of Canada presented the Hygeia Award to the Transplant Program in recognition of outstanding communications in health care. The curriculum resource also received the Ted Freedman Award, which recognizes those who inspire, advocate, and enable education in health care.

In 2008 and 2009, a revised version of One Life...Many Gifts was piloted in 40 school boards throughout Ontario. Funding for this expansion has been provided by the provincial Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. This project would not have been possible without their support or the generosity of an anonymous Ontario resident whose contribution ensures that secondary school students in Ontario understand the life-saving promise of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. In June 2008, the One Life...Many Gifts video received three international Telly awards, which honour the best in videos, web commercials, and film productions. By 2011, the aim is to have One LIfe...Many Gifts available in every district school board in Ontario. Find out more about this educational program by visiting the website of One Life...Many Gifts.