Organ Donation

Topic: Organ Donation

Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to donate their organs and tissues when they die and to act upon their decision to donate.

Thesis Statement: The need is constantly growing for organ donors and it is very simple to be an organ donor when you die.

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Attention material/Credibility Material: How do you feel when you have to wait for something you really, really want? What if it was something you couldn't live without? Well, a friend was five years old when he found out he needed a new kidney. He went on the organ waiting list right away. He was called twice during a six month span that they had a kidney available only to find out that the kidney wasn't a good match. He had to wait again. The third time was a charm. A small adult was in an accident and his kidney was a good match. This story had a happy ending but so many do not.

B. Tie to the audience: One of the people on the waiting list for an organ transplant might be someone you know.

C. Thesis and Preview: Today I'd like to talk to you about first, the need for organ donors in our area, second, how you can become an organ donor after you die, and finally, how your family and organ donor recipients benefit from you donation.

[Transition into body of speech]: I'll begin by telling you about the need for organ donors.

II. BODY

A. People around the world need organ transplants and they need our help.

1. The problem is that there is a lack of organs and organ donors who make organ transplantation possible.

a. The need is many organs and tissues such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, corneas, bone, skin, heart valves, and blood vessels

b. A new name is added to the national waiting list every 16 minutes. That means that 3 people will be added to the list during the time we are in class today.

1) The problem is that 10 people will die each day waiting for an organ transplant (LifeSource: Questions and Answers).

2) The reason is that are only on the average 5,000 donors nationally per year (LifeSource: Statistics).

c. You can choose to donate any needed organs or you can specify which organs or tissues you wish to donate.

2.. Organ donation is very important.

[Transition: I'm sure that you can see the need for people like you to donate your organs. The majority of this class has already said they would like to donate their organs when they die. But you might be asking, well, how can I make sure my organs are donated after I die? Let me tell you.]

B. This is how you go about making sure your organs are donated.

1. Talk with your family about your decision. They will be involved in the donation arrangements when you die. If they do not know your wishes of becoming a donor, your wishes may never be carried out.

2. Mark your driver's license so that your license indicates your intent to donate. Each state varies.

a. Fill out, sign and carry a uniform donor card with you.

b. This donor card says what organs you wish to have donated and also has places for your family members to sign as witnesses after you have discussed your decision with them.

[Transition: You can see that it isn't difficult to be an organ donor. Now let's look at what may happen if you choose to donate your organs and what may happen if you choose not to.]

C. Organ donation benefits both the donor's family and the recipients.

1. If you do donate your organs, your family and the people who receive your organs might benefit in a similar way like this family. A seventeen year old died of head injuries in a car accident. His mom decided to donate his organs. His heart went to a prison, his kidneys went to a mother of 5 children. The teenager