November 08, 2001

Contact:
Debbie Neufert
Media Relations, LHSC
519-685-8500, ext. 74772

Transplant Program at LHSC Wins National Recognition for Innovative Education Program

(LONDON, Ontario) - London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and its Multi-Organ Transplant Program has won Honourable Mention for the Ted Freedman Award, a national award for Innovation in Education in health, health services and health management.

The award is for "One Life...Many Gifts," a joint effort between LHSC's Transplant Program, London Central Secondary School, and the Thames Valley District School Board.

"One Life...Many Gifts" is a secondary school course which focuses on real-life case studies that explore different issues of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Following last year's successful pilot project at London Central Secondary School, the course is now part of the regular curriculum for Grade 11 health and physical education students at both the Thames Valley District School Board and the London and District Catholic School Board. "One Life...Many Gifts" is now poised to become part of an Ontario-wide curriculum.

Teaching materials include a CD-Rom, video, poster, family discussion brochure, and a guide for teachers. After research and discussion, students are encouraged to make a personal decision about their wishes to donate, and then share their decision with their own families.

LHSC's Transplant Program received a generous grant from the Kidney Foundation of Canada to support the project.

The award was handed out at the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) convention in Toronto this week.