Grades 5-8

Life Sciences

Re s o u rces Acco m p a nying This Pro g ram Include:• Gift of Life Stories Booklet

• Gift of Life Video “Inquiring Minds”Online Resources

w w w. c l a s s r o o m - c o n n e c t i o n s . c o m

Classroom ReadyStudent

A c t i v i t i e sDesigned to increase

awareness and understandingabout organ donation and

transplantation programs in Canada

Gift of LifeGift of Life

2 Gif t o f Li fe / Classroom Connec t ions

School + Home + Business

Working Together For Our Children

Classroom ConnectionsToronto’s First Post Office P. O. B ox 111

260 Adelaide Street East, To r o n t o, ON M5A 1N1Te l : 1-888-882-8865 • Fa x (416) 955-0815 E - ma i l: c c m a i l @ s y m p at i c o. c a

All Classroom Connections materials are available on-line at www.classroom-connections.com

The materials for Gift of Life are supplied by Classroom Connections and sponsored by

Hewlett-Packard, Fujisawa Inc., Bell, and The Science and Technology Awareness for Youth Project

(Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology) www.est.gov.on.ca

Hewlett-Packard has a legacy of supporting and promoting lifelong learning through technology, philanthropy and community outreach. Under its CitizenshipProgram, Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd. supports initiatives that build interest and ability in math, science and technology among elementary students.

Working with Classroom Connections enables HP to provide support to curriculum based programs that are aimed at reaching students across the country.

"Fujisawa is proud to support programs that increase awareness of the importance of organ donation."

Written with the support of Organ Donation Ontario www.transplants-ontario.organd David Massey, and York Region District School Board

Thank you to Alutron for their support

"Talk to your family. Someone’s life depends on it."Sandrine’s Gift www.sandrinesgift.com and www.ryanshope.net

E xe c u t i ve Dire c t o r : H e ather MacTagga r t , Classroom ConnectionsWr i t e rs : Nancy Lee Doige, Rick Coats, Derrick Zunker, Linda Boore

Educational Consultant: Kyn BarkerTeacher Advisors: Ann Grewar, Fred Liljelund, Karen Littlewood

E d i t o r : Theresa Kim D e s i g n : Te a ch Magazine C over Illustrat i o n : Jamie Doige

P u blished October 2000

When school, family, and community work together to nurture a joy of learning in children, a society of educated citizens is create d .

“At Bell we believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to contribute to the well-being of our communities through the education of our children. By supporting the Classroom Connections pro-gramme we are helping children, parents and teachers make positive decisions regarding Organ donations.”

Organ and Tissue Donation and Tr a n s p l a n t a t i o n

Curriculum-Based Unit

G RA D ES 5 TO 8 L IFE SC IE N C ES

O b j e c t i v e s :

1) To provide resource materials which support the grades 5 to 8 Life Sciences Curriculum.This will increase student knowledge of :

a) The structure and function of organsb) Organ and tissue transplantsc) Organ donation proceduresd) Current issues related to transplantation

2) To encourage family discussion related to organ transplantation, including the considerationof becoming organ/tissue donors within the context of their cultural and religious values.

Curriculum Links

ST UD E N TS WIL L :4 Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of the respiratory,

circulatory, digestive, excretory, and nervous systems, and the interactions of organs within each system;

4 Investigate the structure and function of the major organs of the respiratory,circulatory, digestive, excretory, and nervous systems;

4 Demonstrate understanding of factors that contribute to good health;4 Identify the skin as an organ and explain its purpose;4 Explain what happens to excess nutrients not immediately used by the body;4 Use appropriate vocabulary including correct science and technology terminology, in

describing their investigations, exploration, and observations;4 Describe some types of medical technology.

3C las sro om Connect ions / Gi ft of L i fe

INST RUCT IONAL ST RAT E GIE SA Note to Educators:

The "Gift of Life" Education Package has been designed to promote awareness of organ andtissue donation and the technology of transplantation in an effort to increase organ donorrates, thereby increasing the overall effectiveness of Canadian Transplant Programs.This education package will assist teachers in implementing the Human Organ Systems Unitwithin the Life Sciences Strand of the grades 5 to 8 Science Curriculum.

This program provides a unique opportunity to make a positive contribution to the lives ofstudents, their families and society. Today’s students will be our future doctors, nurses,molecular biologists, researchers, lab technologists, organ recipients and organ donors.

This Education Pa ck age will introduce students to the process of organ and tissue donation andtransplantation and encourage them to initiate further discussion with their families at home.

Teachers should use these resource materials in a manner that will best benefit their students. Alternative programming should be available in situations where the unit contentconflicts with the cultural and/or religious beliefs of a student or students.

Unit Outline

The following is one example of how this programme can be implemented:

INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN ORGAN SYSTEMS UNIT

4 Inform students that you will be starting a new unit in Science and Technology entitled, "Human Organ Systems"

4 Set each student up with a folder, binder, or portfolio in which to collect their work

4 Distribute Information Letters to parents/guardians and set date by which you expect their return. Page 7

4 Photocopy pages 8, 11, 12 to be sent home to parents who request them.

4 Inform students that their mark for the unit will be based on their daily work, participation, and a final test

4 Ensure that a "safe" environment has been established within the classroom so that discussions can take place in a respectful manner.

IN T R O D U C TORY DISC US S I O N

ASK ST UD E N TS THE FOLLOW ING QUEST I O N S :

4 Has anyone heard of organ transplantation?4 What is it? 4 Do you know anyone who has had one or is waiting for one? ( 10 MINU T ES )

STO RY BOOKLET

The stories in this booklet provide an introduction to the subject of transplants. They arebased on the lives of real people and provide an important bridge between the structure andfunction of human body systems and their impact on the quality of life.

4 Gif t o f Li fe / Class room Connec t ions

4 Photocopy story booklet and distribute to class (they may share)4 Teacher/students read stories out loud to class. Stories may be read

and discussed in individual sessions or the booklet can be read in one sitting.4 Discuss the stories with your students:• Explain important terms • Encourage students to share their feelings about the stories. Expect that students may want

to relate personal experiences or TV shows on the topic. ( A PPR OX IM AT E LY 30 MINU T ES )

ORGAN AND TISS UE TRA N S PLA N TATION – FAC TS AND FI G URES

This article outlines some of the current statistics on Organ and Tissue Transplantation and how it relates to all Canadians. Page 84 Read the article out loud to students4 Discuss the main points of the article based on student feedback ( 20 MINU T ES )

ORGAN AND TISS UE TRA N S PLA N TS QUEST I O NN A IRE

4 Photocopy a class set of the questionnaire entitled, "Organ and Tissue Transplants" Page 94 Provide students with between 5 - 10 minutes to read and answer true/false questions4 Take up and discuss answers with students4 Optional – photocopy and distribute answer sheets to each student ( 10 - 15 MINU T ES )

ORGAN AND TISS UE DONAT I O N

4 Photocopy and distribute a class set of the article entitled, "Organ and Tissue Donation." Page 11 and 12

4 Divide class into 5 groups and assign one of the 5 topics to each group. Ask the group to read the information on their assigned topic and report back on it to the rest of the class

4 Show the Inquiring Minds video clip. Discuss with the class (be sure to preview the videofirst) ( 50 MINU T ES )

Organs and Tissues That Can Be Donated

PART I4 Photocopy and distribute a class set of

the non-labeled diagram entitled,"Organs and Tissues That Can Be Donated. Page 13

4 Have students fill out as much of the diagram as possible based on their own knowledge.

4 Create an overhead of the labeled diagram to help students complete their own work. Page 14

PART II

4 Make overheads for each of the organ/tissue pages (heart, lungs, liver,kidneys, pancreas, cornea). Page 15 to 19

4 Student/teacher read from overhead4 Students produce point-form notes for each overhead and illustrate the organ

or tissue depicted ( 30 MINU T ES )

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T HE FUNCTIONS AND APPL I C ATIONS OF ORGANS AND TISS UES

4 Photocopy and distribute a class set of the page entitled, "Organs and Tissues For Donation Their Functions and Applications". (To make this activity more challenging cover the text inthe Applications column before photocopying) Page 20

4 Have students work with a partner to match the names of the organ or tissue to its function and application

4 Take up and discuss answers with students( 20 MINU T ES )

T HE PR O C ESS OF SELEC T ING REC IPIE N TS

4 Photocopy and distribute a class set of the article entitled, "The Process of Selecting Recipients" Pages 21, 22

4 Read through the article with students - have students highlight/underline important points4 Discuss the main points of the article based on student feedback ( 30 MINU T ES )

STAT I ST I CS ON CANADIAN ORGAN DONORS, TRA N S PLA N TS AND WA I T ING LIST

4 This information and a corresponding activity can be found on-line www.classroom-connections.com. Look for Gift of Life under 2000/2001programs

Student Assessment and Evaluation

4 Photocopy and distribute 1. The Organ and Tissue Transplantation Quiz on page 23.2. Organs and Tissues that can be Donated on page 13.

4 Collect and mark the quizzes - or preferably have students exchange papers and correct with the class. (Answers can be found under Gift of Life atwww.classroom-connections.ca.)

4 Record marks4 Have students correct their quizzes and take them home for parent signatures4 Student marks may also be given for participation

Unit Ev a l u a t i o n

Please fill out and return the evaluation on Page 24.

Optional Fun Sheet & Games - Online

Students and teachers may access and download these activities as time allows throughoutthe unit by visiting the Classroom Connections web site atwww.classroom-connections.com. The activities are designed to reinforce concepts and vocabulary introduced throughout this unit. They include:

4 "Organ and Tissue Transplant Crossword Puzzle"

4 "Gift of Life Word Scramble"

4 "Gift of Life Word Search"

4 "Optional Activities Answer Pa g e "

(Copy onto School Letterh e a d )

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As part of the Science Curriculum, we are now beginning

our unit on Human Organ Systems. The overall expecta-

tions for student learning are as follows:

ST UD E N TS WIL L :

4 demonstrate an understanding of the structure,

f u n c t i o n , and the interactions of /organs within each system;

4 investigate the structure and function of the major organs of the respiratory,

circulatory, digestive, excretory, and nervous systems;

4 demonstrate understanding of factors that contribute to good health;

4 describe some types of medical technology.

One of the curriculum-based resources that we will be using for this unit is entitled

"The Gift of Life". The unit builds an awareness and understanding of the scientific

relevance of tissue and organ donation and transplantation. Students will be encour-

aged to discuss these concepts with those at home.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to con-

tact me at school.

Sincerely,

_______________________________________________________________

❒ I have received the notice regarding the Human Organ Systems Unit.

❒ Please send us information about Organ and Tissue Donation.

____________________________ _____________________________

(Parent's Signature) (Student's Name)

7C lassro om Connec t io ns / Gi ft o f Li fe

Organ and Tissue Tr a n s p l a n t a t i o n

Facts and Figures

Today, organ and tissue transplantation is a medical reality and has become a standard andhighly successful treatment for individuals suffering from end stage organ failure. Canadianshave been instrumental in developing some of the most advanced surgical transplantationtechniques in the world. As a result, in Canada, the success rate for most organ transplants isvery high and steadily improving, for example: kidney transplants 85-90%, heart and liver85%, lungs 75-80% and cornea 90-95%.

Thousands of people in Canada need transplants to ease their suffe ri n g. For some a tra n splantwill mean the difference between life and deat h . For others, a chance to see, walk or significantlyimprove their quality of life. Most recipients are able to return to healthy and productivelives.

The greatest obstacle to transplantation in Canada is the lack of available organs and tis-sues. Transplant programs can only be as successful as the organ donation programs thatsupport them. Unfortunately, Canada has one of the lowest donor rates in the developed coun-tries of the world, at only 13.7 donors per million population. This compares with such coun-tries as Spain at 31.5 per million and the United States at 21.3. Less than 1% of all deathsoccur in a way that medically allows for organ donation. In 1998, there were 1,500 potentialorgan donors in Canada, yet only 400 of those actually became donors.

There are close to 4,000 Canadians currently waiting for an organ transplant. Due to thelack of donors many people have a lengthy wait for a transplant operation and up to 25% ofthose waiting will die before receiving one. People awaiting transplants continue to suffer anddie needlessly.

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1 . FA LS E : Transplant surgery cannot be done just by any doctor at any hospital. Transplants

are done by doctors who specialize in transplants and are part of a Transplant

Team in hospitals that have Transplant Centre.

2 . T RUE : More than 90% of all transplant recipients are alive after one year, which proves transplants work.

3. T RUE : A person who has been declared "brain dead" is truly dead. The ventilator can only keep organs functioning for a short time after brain death has occurred. Aperson who has been declared brain dead, and whose family has agreed to organ donation, is maintained by the ventilator until organs are retrieved.

4. T RUE : There are more than 3,000 people in Canada waiting for an organ transplant.As medical technology advances and immunosuppressive drugs are improved, the waiting list will grow. There is still, however, a critical shortage of donated organs.

5. T RUE : Signing a donor card is the first step, but it is not enough. A donor card is considered a legal document, but hospitals will not retrieve organs if next-of-kin (family) object, even if a donor card has been signed. Discuss your wishes with your family and friends and ask them to follow your wishes.

6. FA LS E : The age of an organ donor is not as important as the condition of the donor’sorgans an tissues. Many elderly people have healthy organs and tissues thatmay be donated.

7. T RUE : Parents or guardians can give consent for organ donation by children.

8 . FA LS E : Donors can donate any or all organs and tissues of their body for transplantation.A single donor could save or help more than 11 recipients.

9. FA LS E : Organ recipients must be "matched" to their organ donor by blood type,tissue type, etc. The closer the match, the less chance of organ rejection and better chance of success.

10 .T RUE : Since we have 2 kidneys and only need one healthy kidney to live normally, aliving donor can give a kidney/or a piece of a liver for transplant to a relative.

11 .T RUE : Donors may choose to donate any or all of their organs or tissues.

12 .T RUE : Having a signed organ donor card will not affect the medical treatment.Medical personnel always do everything possible to save a patient’s life.

13 .T RUE : You can tear up your organ donor card any time if you change your mind,and tell your family of your decision.

14 .T RUE : There is a great shortage of available organs in Canada. Canada’s donor rate, atabout 14 donors per million people, is one of the lowest amongst developed countries. There are close to 4,000 people currently on the waiting list, 25% of them will die while waiting to receive a transplant.

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Transplantation is of great benefit to people in our community - sometimessaving lives, sometimes restoring sight, and improving quality of life. Somepeople see organ donation as a great caring gesture to others. Some see itas a sensible, practical thing to do after their death. Families who havedonated organs and tissues of a loved one, say that it gives them greatcomfort in their time of grief to know that through the donation, many peo-ple have been helped.

V I TAL ORGAN DONAT I O N :The vital organs include heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, small bowel, smallintestine, pancreas and islet cells. Since these organs require a supply ofblood and oxygen in order to remain viable, an organ donor must be in thehospital, on a ventilator and suffering from a brain injury or trauma andhave been pronounced ‘Brain Dead’.

EYE DONAT I O N :Eye donations are accepted from donors who have died from any type ofdeath with the exception of certain diseases such as AIDS, HIV, Hepatitis Band C. The eyes are removed as soon as possible after death. Eyes that arehealthy, clear and free from disease will be used for corneal transplants.Eyes unacceptable for corneal transplant may still be used for other pur-poses such as research and medical education. Eyes can be removed up toeight to 10 hours after death. The age for corneal transplant donors canrange from full-term birth to 100+ (there is no absolute upper age limit).

T I SS UE / B O NE TRA N S PLA N TS: Unlike organ donation where donors must have died a brain death in a hos-pital, almost anyone can be a donor for tissues. Tissues that can be donatedinclude tendons, cartilage, heart valves, veins and skin. Bone is used forpatients who need certain orthopedic procedures such as back-straighteningsurgery or for children who have a curvature of the spine. Bone and tis-sues are also used to help reconstruct defects related to trauma, tumors,fractures, and the treatment of burns.

B O NE MARR OW :Bone marrow is retrieved from living donors. It is a pulpy tissue foundinside the long bones such as the ribs, breastbone or pelvis. Bone marrowtransplants are used to treat patients suffering from some forms ofleukemia and other diseases affecting the blood and function of the bonemarrow. M a ny of these diseases are fatal if untreat e d . A donor and recipientmust h ave mat ching protein marke rs in the cells, in order to avoid rejection.

In Canada, the Canadian Red Cross maintains a registry of unrelatedbone marrow donors. If a match is found, medical tests will be done andthe donor will stay in the hospital for three days, where the marrow isremoved from the pelvis, using needles.

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WHOLE BODY DONATION: People cannot donate organs or most tissues if they also wish to donatetheir bodies to medical science or research. Medical schools need the wholebody and all the organs for education and research. People who want todonate their bodies should contact the nearest medical school for an appli-cation. The school will decide at the time of death whether the body isneeded.

WHO CAN DONAT E ?Anyone can decide to become a donor. If you want to become an organ and tissue donor

when you die, indicate your wishes by signing a donor card. The most important thing you cando is to tell your family about your decision. By discussing your decision with your family, youempower them to give the permission required to have your wishes carried out after you die.Sudden death is always traumatic for a person’s family. They will be asked about your wisheson organ and tissue donation and for permission to carry out those wishes. It is easier forthem to talk to medical staff and make a decision if they know what you wanted to do.

To be an organ donor a person must be declared brain dead. This means that the brain hasstopped functioning and will never recover. If the family has agreed to organ donation, thedonor is left on a ventilator (a mechanical breathing machine) to ensure that blood and oxy-gen continue to flow to the organs so that they can be used for transplant. To be a tissuedonor there is no need for the heart to still be beating or for the person to have died from abrain death.

In Canada the identity of the donor and recipient is kept confidential. There is no age restric-tion in organ donation. The age and health of an organ donor is not as important as the condi-tion of the donor’s organs and tissues. Don’t let age stand in the way of your commitment tobe a donor. People of all ages have healthy organs and tissues that may be donated. Let yourwishes be known to your family.

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Organs and Tissues That Can Be Donated

The liver is the largest internal organ in our bodies. Most of this large reddish-purpleorgan is located behind the ribs on the upper right-handpart of the abdomen. It is responsible for manyimportant functions in the body and we needour livers in order to remain alive. Two of it’smain functions include the storage and fil-tration of blood and the secretion of agreen liquid called bile which aids in thedigestion of fatty foods.

The only treatment for liver failure is aliver transplant. In the past, end-stageliver disease meant certain death. Today,liver transplantation is a standard andh i g h ly successful treat m e n t . L i ve rs becomeavailable when a person dies as a result of a severe brain injury, such as a motor vehicleaccident or a brain hemorrhage. Living donors can also be used when a portion of the adultdonor’s liver is removed and transplanted, usually to a child. The success rate for livertransplants is approximately 85% after one year.

The pancreas is a large, long organ located behind the stomach. The larger end is calledthe head and the smaller end is called the tail. the pancreas helps us digest our foods andsecretes insulin, which helps our bodies use sug-ars and keeps our bodies from developing dia-betes. Without a normal pancreas, severe ill-ness can threaten the functions of other o rga n sand tissues resulting in bl i n d n e s s, kidney disease,loss of an arm of leg , or other probl e m s.

People with diabetes (failure of the pancreas toproduce insulin) require either insulin injections or a pancreas transplant. Double pan-creas/kidney transplants can now be done to treat patients with kidney failure and diabetes.They eliminate the need for insulin injections and dialysis, and reduce the risk of the com-plications of long term diabetes, such as losing sight, limbs, or kidney function.

Islet cells can now be transplanted from the pancreas of a dead organ donor to the liverof a severe diabetic. The liver begins to function as the pancreas would - regulating thebody’s blood sugar levels. This very new procedure called the "Edmonton Protocol" (as itwas developed by the University of Alberta) may enable some people with insulin depend-ent diabetes to function without insulin injections.

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You have two kidneys, each about the size of your fist. They are locatedtowards your back on each side of your spine, right below the waist. Their func-tion is to filter the blood and get rid of waste materials in the form of urine.Each adult kidney is about four inches long, two inches wide, and a one-inchthick. It weighs from four to six ounces. A person can live a normal life withonly one functioning kidney.

Kidney failure can result from a variety of diseases, viruses and bacterialinfections. Many people who suffer kidney failure can be kept alive with dialy-sis. But dialysis cannot completely replace kidney function, and the person’slifestyle and diet are severely restricted. Some patients cannot work. Kidneytransplants allow recipients a chance to lead a full and normal life. There aretwo ways that kidneys become available for transplantation; they are from aperson who died from a severe brain injury or from a living relative. The suc-cess rate for kidney transplants is approximately 85-90% after one year.

CO ST:

As well as re s t o ring health, kidney transplants also save the health care system money.A $20,000.00 kidney transplant costs a fraction of the $50,000.00 annual cost of

maintaining patients for a lifetime on dialysis.

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Our lungs, located one on each side of the chest, are the organs of breathing.As we inhale (breath in) oxygen into our lungs, they expand like a balloon.When we exhale (breathe out), they deflate like air going out of a balloon. Thelungs take in oxygen from the air we breathe and remove carbon dioxide, whichis produced by the body. A person can live with only one lung.

Lung transplants are carried out when a person has severe, life-threateningrespiratory problems. Lung disease may be congenital (a condition that your areborn with) or may develop as a result of toxins, such a tobacco smoke orasbestos. Common causes of severe lung damage include cystic fibrosis (aninherited illness) and emphysema (can be related to smoking). Both single ordouble lung transplants are possible, depending upon the situation. The successrate for lung transplants is approximately 75% after one year. Sometimes peo-ple that have advanced disease of both the heart and lungs require a combinedheart and double lung transplant.

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The heart is a hollow muscular pump about the size of a fist, located in theleft side of the chest. Its function is to pump blood containing oxygen to all partsof the body. The heart is essential to life. The heart is really a double pump. Onepump (the right heart) receives blood that has just come from the body afterdelivering nutrients and oxygen to the body tissues. It pumps this dark, bluishred blood to the lungs where the blood gets rid of a waste gas (carbon dioxide)and picks up a fresh supply of oxygen which turns it bright red again. The sec-ond pump (the left heart) receives the reconditioned blood from the lungs andpumps it out through the aorta to all parts of the body.

There are many people of all ages who suffer from certain serious heart disor-d e rs. For them, heart transplants are the only hope of surv i va l . About 30% ofthe people waiting for a heart transplant may die while waiting for a donat e dh e a r t . For that reason, Scientists are wo rking to develop alternat i ve s, s u ch asa r t i ficial hearts, or Xenotra n s p l a n t ation (the tra n s p l a n t ation of organs betwe e nspecies i.e. the pig). The success rate for heart transplants is 85% after one ye a r.

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The cornea is the clear covering over the opening in the centre of the eye andcan be compared to the clear crystal on the face of a wristwatch. It is aboutthe size of a dime. It helps admit light into the eye. If the cornea becomescloudy because of disease or injury, blindness or near-blindness results.

Corneal transplants are performed when the clear, transparent “windows”at the very front of the eyes have become clouded by disease, age, injury,trauma or infections.

If the cornea is not clear, light cannot pass through it appropriately, and befocused by it, then continue on through the pupil to form an image on theretina. For the individual who is blind because the corneal "window" is notclear, a corneal transplant is a sight-giving procedure.

Individuals of any age (from babies to the elderly) may need a cornealtransplant. Corneal transplant is a one-hour procedure, and patients canreturn home the same day. Cornea transplantation is very successful, withan overall long-term success rate of 90 - 95%

When the cornea becomes cloudy,

poor vision or total blindness

may result

The cloudy cornea has been

removed and a clear cornea

transplanted.

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T HE IR FUNCTIONS AND APPL I C AT I O N S

O R G A N / T I SS UE FUN C T I O N

allow light to enter the eye

pumps blood to all body systems

energy regulation, makes proteins,

removes wastes from the bloodorgans of respiration

secretes enzymes necessary for diges-tion, and insulin that helps regulateblood sugar

extracts waste from the blood produces regulated hormones and redblood cell creation hormone

protects the body against dehydration,injury, and infection

supports the body, protects vital organs

forms blood cells

connective tissue that serves as skeletaltissue in some parts of the body; e.g.nose and outer ear

attach muscle to bone

fibrous tissue that covers the muscles

A PPL I C AT I O N

restore sight to the blind

for patients with end-stage heart disease

for patients with end-stage liver disease

for patients with cystic fibrosis, emphysema orother end-stage lung disease

for treating diabetes, eliminates need forinsulin injections, reduces risk of losing sight,limb, or kidney function

eliminates need for kidney dialysis, medicatedblood, pressure regulation, blood enrichingmedication

used as a temporary covering for burnpatients, decreases pain, infection, scarring,heat and fluid loss

facial reconstruction, limb repair, correction ofbirth defects, cancer treatments, spinal andoral surgery

for treating patents with leukemia, aplasticanemia, and various genetic disorders

used for facial and other reconstruction

for use in joint injuries

used to repair tendons, ligaments, deformities

Kidneys, Tendons, Corneas, Liver, Bone Marrow, Lungs, Pancreas, Bone, Cartilage, Fascia, Heart, Skin

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T HE PR OCESS OF SEL E CT ING RE CIPIEN TS

H ow do individuals get on the waiting list?

People suffering from end-stage failure of a vital organ will require an organ transplant.This means that, without a transplant or regular medical treatment, these people will die. Asyou can see from the chart below, for those suffering from end-stage liver or lung failure, atransplant is currently the only treatment available.

When a person needs a transplant, a doctor who specializes in transplants and works at ahospital in a major city, that is a transplant Centre, will evaluate him. Once the person is cho-sen as a transplant candidate; the transplant Centre will enter information into the computersuch as: the person’s name, height, weight, blood type, tissue type and medical condition. Thedoctor will give them a "status code" that indicates the severity of the person’s condition.The person is now on the provincial waiting list of patients waiting for a transplant.

GETT ING SEL E CT ED FOR A TRA NSPLA N T

N A ME OF FA IL ING ORGAN

Heart

Kidneys

Pancreas (Diabetes)

Liver

Lungs

AVA ILA BLE TRE AT ME N T

•artificial heart/pump

device or heart transplant

• dialysis treatments or

kidney transplant

• insulin injections,

pancreas transplant,

islet cell transplant

• transplant

• transplant

L IFE WITHOUT TRA N S PLA N T

•may have poor quality

of life / temporary

treatment

• death

•poor quality of life

•diet restrictions

•diet restrictions

•leads to medical problems

(i.e. kidneys, eyes,

infections, etc.)

•death

•death

L IFE WITH TRA N S PLA N T

• can live a normal,

healthy life

• can live a normal,

healthy life

• can live a normal,

healthy life

• can live a normal,

healthy life

• can live a normal,

health life

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When a person in a hospital is declared "brain dead" and permission is given for organ donation, that person then becomes a possible (potential) organ donor. When organs becomeavailable through a potential donor, the donor hospital contacts the provincial organ transplant Centre, where a specially trained donor coordinator runs a computerized match listof people waiting for transplants. The waiting recipient is selected for transplantation basedon certain factors including severity of illness (the "status code"), correct size and blood type,and length of time on the waiting list. The donor coordinator will match the organs to recipi-ents. For the kidneys, the donor Centre will also check the kidney list for a recipient whoseantigens* perfe c t ly mat ch the donor kidney antigens. *(See below for info r m ation on antigens)

Waiting recipients that have been selected for transplants will be contacted via a pager thatis carried by all those near the top of the waiting list. They will be brought to the transplanthospital as soon as possible, by ambulance or helicopter if necessary, where they will undergotests to be sure they are the best matches to the organs.

M A XIMUM TIME BEFORE TRA NSPLA N TAT ION

Organs can only be stored for a short period of time before transplantation. Tissues can beretrieved up to 12 hours after death and can be stored for varying lengths of time and by dif-ferent methods before they can be transplanted. Please see the chart below:

A N T IB ODIES AND ANTI-REJE CT ION DRUG S

An antigen is a substance which induces the fo r m ation of antibodies in the human immune s y s t e m . While antibodies are vital in fighting infe c t i o n , they are the wo rst enemy of the t ransplanted organ because they cause the body to reject the transplanted orga n . * For the kidneys it is genera l ly accepted that a good antigen mat ch between the donor and recipient willl ower the chance of rejection and lead to better and longer kidney function. For this reason,antigen mat ching is added to the list of fa c t o rs determining the potential kidney recipients.

Transplant recipients must take anti-rejection drugs every day for the rest of their lives.It was in 1972 when Swiss researchers discovered the drug cyclosporine that a new era oforgan transplant surgery began. This drug was able to suppress rejection of transplantedorgans without suppressing the body’s immune system too much, allowing the success rates oforgan transplants to increase. Today the medical profession now has a wide variety of effective anti-rejection drugs to choose from. The doctors will try to give the minimum amountof anti-rejection drugs possible, with the maximum results. Transplant recipients will need regular check-ups to ensure their dosage of anti-rejection drugs is correct.

O R G A N T IME T I SS UE T IME

Heart 4 - 6 hours Cornea 24-48 hours, refrigerated

Lungs 4 - 6 hours Bone Cryopreserved* (indefinitely)

Liver 18 hours Heart Valves Cryopreserved* (indefinitely)

Kidneys 48 hours Cartilage Cryopreserved* (indefinitely)

Pancreas 24 hours * Stored at extremely cold temperatures

Small Bowel 18 hours

23C las sro om Connect io ns / Gi ft of Li fe

N A ME : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DAT E : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Organ and Tissue Transplantation Unit Quiz

1. MATCH THE LETTER TO THE DESC RIPTION GIVEN;

____ the greatest obstacle to transplantation in Canada

____ this can eliminate the need for dialysis

____ a substance which induces the formation of antibodies

____ the act of giving organs or tissues to another to improve life

____ the person who receives a donated organ or tissue

____ may be necessary as a result of emphysema or cystic fibrosis

____ severity of illness, size, blood type, time on list

____ this is when the brain stops functioning and will never function again

A . Brain death B . Lack of donors C . Kidney transplant D . Antigen

E . The Gift of Life F. Recipient G . Lung transplant H . Waiting list criteria

2, ANSWER TRUE OR FA LS E

____ a person who donates organs for transplant is known as an “organ donor”

____ every patient waiting for a transplant is listed on a province-wide computer system

____ Canada has one of the highest organ donor rates in the developed world

____ 25% of those waiting for a transplant will die before an organ comes available

____ transplant surgery can be done by any doctor at any hospital

____ there is a shortage of available organs for transplants

____ any organ will work in any body

____ once patients are “brain dead” they never recover

3. ANSWER THE FOLLOW ING QUESTION IN 25 WO RDS OR LESS; (TWO MARKS EAC H )

i) If you decide to become an organ donor, what is the most important thing you should do?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

ii) When are organ and tissue transplants sometimes necessary?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

iii) List five organs or tissues that can be transplanted

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

iv) Why is it important to learn about organ and tissue donation?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

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