resource guide

for

teachers



One LifeÉMany Gifts is a curriculum resource to 
educate senior secondary school students about 
the vital importance of organ and tissue donation 
and transplantation. It brings to life the drama, 
generosity and the life-saving promise of 

donation and transplantation. 



2 Glossary

4 Appendices

 a) Organ and Tissue Donation 
Frequently Asked Questions

6 b) Myths and Misperceptions Ð 

 Organ and Tissue Donation Quiz and Answers

10 c) Additional Information for Teachers about 
Liver Transplantation: Janet, Chris and Angela

14 Assessment Tools

 Portfolio Assessment

 Reflection on my Learning

 Journal Reflection

 Continue, Start and Stop

18 Annotated Bibliography



2

GLOSSARY

Anonymous donation

A living donor donates a kidney or part 
of a liver to someone the donor does not 
know. This is also referred to as a ÔGood 
SamaritanÕ donor.

Antibody

A type of protein produced by the body in 
response to exposure to foreign Ôinvaders,Õ 
including a transplanted organ.

Antigen

A molecule that stimulates the immune 
system to produce antibodies and white 
blood cells.

Anti-rejection drugs

Medications that suppress a personÕs 
immune response so he or she is less likely 
to reject a transplanted organ. Also referred 
to as Ôimmunosuppressive drugs.Õ

Artery

Blood vessels that transport blood from the 
heart to the organs and tissues of the body.

Autoimmune hepatitis

The bodyÕs immune system reacts 
against its own liver cells, resulting in 
inflammation, scarring and eventually 
liver failure.

Biopsy

A medical procedure in which a small 
sample of tissue is taken so that it can 
be examined under a microscope. For 
transplants, it is performed to monitor the 
health of the organ. For a heart transplant 
biopsy, a catheter is inserted through a 
main blood vessel, down inside the heart. 
Tiny pieces of heart muscle are retrieved. By 
examining the cells, it can be determined if 
the transplanted organ is being rejected. 

Blood group

A specific type of red blood cells that 
everyone has (for example, blood type A, 
B, O, or AB).

Brain death

The complete and irreversible loss of 
all brain function. There is no chance of 
regaining consciousness. This is also 

called Ôneurological death.Õ

Cardiologist

A physician who specializes in the 
treatment of heart disease.

Catheter

A hollow tube that can be inserted into 
the body to drain fluid or, when put in 
a blood vessel, to administer fluid to 
the body. A catheter may be used 
during a biopsy.

CAT scan

A special X-ray that can produce a three-
dimensional computer model of a patientÕs 
internal organs.

Cirrhosis

A condition that is characterized by 
extensive scarring of the liver. Scar tissue 
forms because of injury or long-term 
disease, and ultimately the liver fails to 
function normally.


Coma

A profound state of unconsciousness. A 
comatose patient cannot be awakened, fails 
to respond normally to pain and does not 
make voluntary actions. Coma may result 
from a variety of conditions (e.g., drug 
overdose, head injury, seizure), and some 
people can come out of a coma and regain 
consciousness, depending on the cause.

Creatinine 

A waste product of muscle metabolism 
that is measurable in the blood. Normally 
it is removed by the kidney. When kidney 
function becomes abnormal, the level of 
creatinine goes up.

Cross matching

A blood test that mixes white cells and 
serum of two individuals to determine 
if they react against one another. It 
determines compatibility between a donor 
and recipient. If the donorÕs cells are 
attacked and killed, this is a positive cross 
match, meaning the donor and recipient 
are not compatible. A negative cross match 
means that the transplant can proceed.

Cyclosporine

A specific anti-rejection medication that 
is used in organ recipients.

Deceased donor

A person who has donated organs and/or 
tissues after death.

Dialysis

A method of treating patients who have 
kidney failure to clean the blood and 
remove waste and excess water from the 
body. There are two types of dialysis: 
hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. 
During hemodialysis (usually done at 
a hospital, 3 times a week), the patientÕs 
blood is passed through an artificial kidney 
machine. With peritoneal dialysis, fluid is 
exchanged in the abdominal cavity using a 
catheter (usually done at home during the 
day or through the night).

Directed donation

A donor or donor family designates the 
recipient who will receive the donated 
organ. This is not practised in Canada with 
deceased donation. Living donors, however, 
generally are donating to a specific person, 
such as a relative or close friend.

Donation after Cardiac Death (DCD)

After a decision has been made to withdraw 
life support from a person with a hopeless 
condition, the option to donate after death 
is discussed with the family. If consent is 
given, organs are removed after the heart 
stops beating (after cardiac death).

Dry run

A patient may be called and told to 
come to the transplant centre because a 
suitable organ has been located for them. 
Sometimes, just before the surgery, it is 
determined that the organ is not suitable, 
the surgery is cancelled and the patient 
returns home to wait for another call.

Ecstasy

This is a non-prescribed drug that is used 
to induce a state of trance-like elation. 
It is now known to cause acute liver 
failure, which may result in the need 
for a liver transplant.

Edema

Swelling of the body tissues (usually ankles 
and legs) as a result of retention of water.

End-stage disease

When organ function (kidney, heart, liver, 
lungs and so on) fails.

Heart valves

Within the heart, there are four valves that 
direct the flow of blood within the chambers 
of the heart. Donated valves are used to 
replace damaged or diseased valves.

Hepatitis C

A disease of the liver caused by 
the hepatitis C virus.

Hepatologist

A doctor who specializes in the treatment 
of liver disease.



Hormone

Chemical messengers that are secreted into 
the bloodstream to regulate body functions 
such as blood pressure and control of blood 
sugar (insulin).

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A medical condition in which the heart 
muscle thickens, the inner chamber 
becomes smaller and the heart is unable to 
pump as much blood as the body needs.

Immune system

A sophisticated defence system that 
protects the body from Ôforeign invaders,Õ 
such as viruses and bacteria. Transplanted 
organs are also recognized as foreign, and 
the immune system is mobilized to attack 
or reject the new organ.

Immune-suppressed

A patientÕs immune system is dampened or 
suppressed, usually by the administration 
of anti-rejection drugs.

Immunosuppressive drugs

Drugs that can suppress the immune 
system so that rejection is less likely 
to occur. Also referred to as 
Ôanti-rejection drugs.Õ

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas to 
regulate the level of glucose (sugar) in the 
blood. When the pancreas is unable to 
make insulin, Type 1 diabetes develops.

Islet cells

Specialized cells in the pancreas that 
produce insulin.

Jaundice

A yellowish discolouration of the eyes, 
skin and tissues of the body (a sign 
of liver failure).

Living donor

A person who donates a kidney or a 
portion of the liver to someone in need, 
usually a relative or close friend.

Multi-organ transplant

The simultaneous replacement of 
multiple organs, for example, liver, 
bowel and pancreas.

Nasogastric tube

This is also called a Ôfeeding tube.Õ It is 
placed in the patientÕs nose and down into 
the stomach to provide extra calories 
and nutrition.

Nephrologist

A doctor specializing in the treatment 
of kidney disease.

Neurological death

The complete and irreversible loss of all 
brain function. Also called Ôbrain death.Õ 
There is no chance of regaining 
consciousness.

Organ donation rate

For comparative purposes, this is the rate 
at which the general population donates 
organs based on per million population. 
The more people who donate, the higher 
the donation rate.

Pacemaker

An electrical device that is inserted into 
the heart to stimulate it to beat regularly.

Presumed consent

This system presumes that a person wants 
to donate organs following death, unless 
that person had specifically made his or her 
objection known before dying. This is also 
called an Ôopt-outÕ system because the onus 
is on the individual to declare that they do 
not wish to donate.

Red blood cells

Cells in the blood that carry oxygen to the 
bodyÕs tissues.

Rejection

A process in which the bodyÕs immune 
system recognizes that a transplanted 
organ is not one of its own, and produces 
antibodies and white blood cells that attack 
and injure (even destroy) the organ.

Retinopathy

An eye disease that causes blindness, 
and it can be a long-term consequence 
of diabetes.

SARS 
(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)

A lung infection caused by a virus. There 
was an international outbreak of SARS 
between November 2002 and July 2003.

Self-induced organ failure

A term to describe an injury to an organ 
caused by the personal lifestyle behaviour 
of an individual, e.g., liver failure from 
excessive alcohol consumption. 

Split-liver transplant

A liver is divided into two parts, and each 
segment is then transplanted into 
a recipient so that one donated organ 
can save two lives. 

Stem cells

These are primitive cells of the body 
that can transform into many different 
mature cell types. 

Tissue typing

A blood test that determines the similarity 
or dissimilarity of specific proteins between 
a donor and a potential recipient. The 
proteins, called antigens, are important 
in initiating a rejection response.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

The administration of high-calorie 
food intravenously to a person when 
the digestive system is unable to 
absorb nutrients.

Trillium Gift of Life Network Act

Legislation in Ontario that governs the 
donation of a personÕs body, organs or 
tissues for transplantation, medical 
education or scientific research. 

Type 1 Diabetes 

The pancreas stops producing insulin and 
a person needs to take insulin by injection 
to control his or her blood sugar.

Type 2 Diabetes 

The pancreas makes insulin, but the body 
does not use it effectively. Also referred to 
as Ôinsulin resistance.Õ

Vein

Blood vessels that return blood to the heart.

Ventilator

A machine that artificially inflates the lungs 
of a person who is unable to breathe on his 
or her own.

Ventricular assist device (VAD)

A mechanical device that is inserted into 
a patient to take over the pumping action 
of the failing heart. The VAD can act as 
a ÔbridgeÕ to transplant, supporting the 
diseased heart until a donated organ 
becomes available.

White blood cells

These are cells in the blood that fight 
infection, and are involved in the process 
of organ rejection.

Xenotransplantation

The transplantation of an organ or tissue 
between different species, for example, 
pig to human.



1. Where can I get registration info or more information about 
organ and tissue donation? 

 
You can register your intentions through OHIP's donor registry. 
"Organ and Tissue Donor Registration Forms" are available at local 
OHIP offices and at www.giftoflife.on.ca

 
2. Why should I donate my organs and tissue? Your decision 
to donate could save a life. There is a chronic shortage of organs and 
tissue in Ontario and the need for organs and tissue continues to 
outweigh their availability. Almost 1,700 Ontarians are waiting for an 
organ transplant and many others are waiting for a tissue transplant. 
One person dies every three days waiting for a life-saving organ 
transplant in Ontario.

 
3. What organs and tissue can be donated? Organs and tissue 
that can be donated include the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, 
small bowel, corneas, heart valves, bone and skin. 

 
4. Do transplants really work? Transplants not only save lives; 
they also recapture productive lives. Outcomes continue to improve 
each year, so more and more transplant patients are living 
enhanced, productive lives. 

 
5. How do I express my wishes to become an organ and tissue 
donor? You can register through OHIP, but be sure to talk to your 
loved ones. ItÕs critical to share your decision with your family, as they 
will be asked for final consent to donate your organs after your death. 
Discuss your intentions with them.

 
6. Can anyone donate? Everyone is a potential organ and tissue 
donor. Age is less important than the health of the organs and tissue. 
The oldest Canadian organ donor to date was over 90 years of age 
while the oldest tissue donor was 102. Ultimately, the ability to become 
an organ and tissue donor depends on several factors, including the 
health of the organs and tissue at the time of death. 

 
It is important to keep in mind that the vast majority of organ donors 
have suffered brain death, or Òneurological death.Ó However, brain 
death only occurs in approximately 1.5Ð2% of all in-hospital deaths. 
With approximately 30,000 in-hospital deaths in Ontario each year, this 
equals a potential donor pool of about 450Ð600 individuals per year. 

 
Subtract from that the number of people who are deemed medically 
unsuitable. Subtract from this number the number of families who 
decline to consent to donation, and we have an even smaller number of 
potential donors. Given how rare it is to be considered an organ donor, 
it is extremely important that people talk with their families about 
their desire to be an organ donor. 

 
7. If I have cancer or another serious illness, can I still be an 
organ and tissue donor? Even an individual with a serious illness 
can sometimes be an organ or tissue donor. For example, in the case 
of cancer, it would depend on the type of cancer and how long ago 
the person was treated. If you have a concern, talk it over with your 
doctor. Ultimately, the ability to become an organ and tissue donor 
depends on several factors, including the health of the organs and 
tissue at the time of death. 

 
8. Is donation confidential? Yes. No one will know about your 
Ògift of lifeÓ unless your family tells them. 

 
9. What if donation conflicts with my religious beliefs? Most 
major religions support organ and tissue donation as an honoured 
and compassionate expression of generosity and love. If your religion 
restricts the use of a body after death, consult your faith leader. 
Restrictions may not apply if the donation could save anotherÕs life. 

 
10. If I have indicated my decision for organ donation, will 
everything be done to save my life? The first and foremost 
concern for health-care professionals caring for critically ill patients 
is to do everything possible to save lives. The possibility of donation 
is considered only when all life-saving efforts have failed and brain 
death is declared. 

 
11. When does organ and tissue donation become an option? 

Living organ donation may be an option for a healthy adult who has 
a family member or close friend in need of a kidney or liver transplant. 
With living donation, a kidney or portion of the liver is removed from 
the donor and transplanted into the patient in need of a new organ. 
On a few occasions, living donors have also donated part of their lung 
or small bowel. 

Deceased organ donation can take place when someone has been 
declared brain dead and a doctor has determined the organs can be 
used for transplant. This type of donation is referred to as donation 
after brain death. 

Another option is donation after cardiac death (DCD). DCD offers 
families the option to donate when brain death criteria have not been 
met, and the decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatment has been 
made. DCD patients have no hope of recovering, and they will die 
within minutes or hours after being disconnected from life support. 

APPENDICES

A. ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



Once their heart stops beating, they are taken to the operating room 
for organ donation. 

 
Tissue donation can take place in most cases when someone has died, 
as long as the tissue is determined suitable for transplant by a doctor. 
With tissue donation, there is no need for blood flow to be maintained 
by artificial ventilation after death. 

 
12. What if I change my mind? If you change your mind, let your 
family know of your decision. If you registered with OHIP, contact 
them about your change of decision. 

 
13. What is Òwhole body donationÓ? If you cannot or do not wish 
to donate organs, you may want to support teaching and research 
activities at a medical school by considering whole body donation, 
an important gift to the training of professionals in health-related 
disciplines. For more information about whole body donation, please 
call the anatomy school of your choice or the Office of the Chief 
Coroner at 1-877-991-9959. 

 
14. Can I donate my organs and tissue, and then give my body 
to medical science? If you give your body to medical science, your 
organs and tissue will not be available for transplantation. Similarly, 
if you donate organs or tissue, you cannot donate your body to science. 

 
15. Does organ and tissue donation affect funeral services? 
Can I have an open casket? Recovery of donated organs and tissue 
is carried out with surgical skill, respect, and dignity, and does not 
change the appearance of the body. It does not interfere with funeral 
practices and no one will know about your gift of life unless 
your family tells them. 

 
16. What happens after the organs and tissue are removed? 

The body is released to the family or funeral home. Every effort is made 
to schedule the recovery of organs and tissue in a timely fashion. There 
may be a 24-36 hour delay due to the required surgery. 

 
17. Does the donorÕs family have to pay for the cost of organ 
donation? No. The donorÕs family neither pays for nor receives 
payment for organ and tissue donation. All costs related to donation 
are paid for by the organ procurement program or transplant 
centre. Only the funeral expenses remain the responsibility 
of the donorÕs family. 

 
18. Can I choose which organs and tissue I want to donate? 
You may indicate your decision to donate all organs and tissue or 
only specified organs and tissue. 

 
19. Can I designate the recipient of my organs or tissue? 

Donated organs and tissue are given to individual recipients based 
on need, blood type, genetic match and other criteria. ÒDirected 
donation,Ó as it is known, is not practised in Canada. Only through 
living donation can the recipient be designated. Living donation may 
be an option for kidney, liver or lung transplants. If you are interested 
in being considered as a living donor, discuss this with your doctor. 

 
20. Who will receive my organs and tissue? Will they stay in 
Ontario or Canada? The hospital will contact Trillium Gift of Life 
Network (TGLN), which keeps a list of everyone in Ontario who is 
waiting for an organ transplant. TGLN will match the tissue and blood 
type of the donor to an individual(s) on the waiting list. If a match 
is found, the individual(s) who for medical reasons most needs a 
transplant will receive the donated organs. If the medical urgency is 
the same, the individual on the waiting list the longest will receive the 
organ. If there is no suitable match, a cross-reference is made across 
Canada and possibly in the United States if need be. 

 
21. I already signed my donor card or registered in another 
Canadian province. Do I have to sign up again in Ontario? 
Organ and tissue donation is a provincial program, so you should 
sign up again when you move. But the most important thing to do 
is talk to your family and loved ones about your wishes so that they 
can understand and respect them in the future. 

 
22. Can my family override my wishes and if so, why? When you 
register through OHIP, you give doctors permission to recover your 
organs and tissue upon death. This does not mean that the doctors 
must recover your organs. Out of respect for the wishes of grieving 
families, hospital staff will talk with the next of kin about their feelings 
regarding donation and what their loved one would have wanted. That 
is why it is important that you talk with your family and loved ones 
about your wishes and your decision to give the gift of life. 



If you register your consent with ohip, you can be certain 
that your organs and tissues will assist 
a person who needs your gift in the event of your death. 

True False 

 

If you have registerd consent and are hospitalized, doctors 
may not help you as much as they could 
because they want to have access to your organs 
for very ill patients. 

True False

Only people who are younger than 65 can be organ 
and tissue donors.

True False

Most religions support organ and tissue donation 
after death.

True False

 

With modern technology, all of our organs and tissues 
can now be retrieved and transplanted in patients who 
need them.

True False

In Canada, you can receive financial remuneration 

as a thank you for your gift of an organ. 

True False

At any one time, only one organ can be transplanted 
into a patient.

True False

In order to consent to being an organ and tissue donor, 

you must be 16.

True False

If you have been drunk more than a few times, or if you 
have smoked marijuana, taken ecstasy, or used one of the 
hard drugs, you cannot be an organ donor.

True False

 Canada does not allow transplantation with living 

donors; all transplants must be undertaken with 
deceased donors. 

True False

B. MYTHS AND MISPERCEPTIONS Ð

ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION QUIZ

Please complete this 20-item True or False quiz, which will capture any misperceptions you may have about organ and tissue 
donation and transplantation. When you have finished, score the test. Each item is worth one point for a total of 20. Multiply by five, 
and you will have a final grade. Take the test home to your parents or to other adults living with you. Ask them to take the test too. 
Who turned out to be more knowledgeable, you or the adults?

1)

6)

7)

2)

8)

3)

9)

4)

10)

5)



The oldest Canadian organ donor was over 90; the 
oldest tissue donor was over 100 years old. 

True False

Members of my family can refuse to donate my organs, 
even if I have registerd with ohip that I want to be a donor.

True False

I can donate my body to medical science or I can donate 
my organs and tissue; I cannot do both.

True False

 

The organ donor has to arrange with his or her family to 
pay for the costs of retrieving organs after his or her death.

True False

If I register to be an organ donor after I die, I can 
specify which person receives my organs. 

True False

If I decide to become a donor, I will not be able 
to have an open casket for my funeral service. 

True False

Almost 1,700 people in Ontario and more than 
4,000 people in Canada are waiting for an organ transplant.

True False

 

When I make a decision to become an organ donor, 
there is no opportunity to change my mind later in my life.

True False

Of all the Canadians who die each year, only a very small 
percentage can be considered as potential organ donors.

True False

16)

11)

12)

17)

13)

18)

14)

19)

15)

20)

You are now ready to check your answers, and tally up your score.



1) FALSE 

When you sign a donor card, you give doctors permission to 
recover your organs and tissue upon death. This does not mean 
that the doctors must recover your organs. Out of respect for 
the feelings of grieving families, Trillium Gift of Life Network or 
hospital staff will talk with the next of kin about their feelings 
regarding donation and what their loved one would have 
wanted. That is why it is important that you talk with your 
family and loved ones about your wishes and your decision 
to give the gift of life. 

2) FALSE 
It is a very common fear among potential donors that you may 
find yourself lying in a hospital bed, with doctors hovering 
outside the hospital room Ð waiting for you to die so that they 
can retrieve your organs. This situation never happens. Your 
doctorsÕ responsibilities rest with you exclusively. They will be 
doing their absolute best to save your life. It is only when all 
life-saving efforts have failed, and death is declared, that the 
possibility of organ donation is considered. 

 

3) FALSE 
Everyone is a potential donor; age does not exclude you from 
becoming an organ or tissue donor. The health of your organs 
and tissue at the time of death is the most significant factor 
in making a judgement about your candidacy as a donor. 

 

4) TRUE 
Culture and religion play a significant role in end-of-life 
experiences, including how people respond to illness, how 
grief is demonstrated, what rituals are important at the time 
of death and which members of the family are present.

 

Most major religions support organ and tissue donation as an 
honoured and compassionate expression of generosity and 
love. Beliefs about tissue donation vary as some groups may 
consider tissue donation life enhancing, and distinguish it from 
organ donation, which is more often life-saving. Please review 
the section on Religious Perspectives for a detailed list of faith 
perspectives on the issue. 

5) FALSE 

Modern technology has not yet reached the stage where all 
organs and tissue can be retrieved from our bodies. As of 2008, 
only the following organs can be used for transplantation Ð 
the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and small bowel. The 
following tissues can be transplanted Ð bone, cornea, heart 
valves, islet cells and skin.

6) FALSE 

Canada has universal health care. That means that you will 
never receive a bill for any medical expenses that are covered 
by OHIP. A transplant, if you need one, will be given to you 
without cost. There is legislation in place that prohibits you 
from buying or selling any organ or tissue. No money can 
change hands: organ donation is a gift of life. If you are a living 
donor (i.e., you donate a kidney or part of your liver to another 
person in need), you may be entitled to a reimbursement up 
to a maximum amount of $5,500 for reasonable out-of-pocket 
expenses associated with the donation. 

7) FALSE 

Usually, a person receives only one organ. In special 
circumstances, two, three or even four organs are required 
for a patient to live. Multiple-organ transplants are rare 
and extremely complicated, but they are possible.

8) TRUE 

In order to legally sign a donor card or register your donation 
wishes through OHIP, you must be 16 years of age.

9) FALSE 

All deceased patients are considered potential organ donors 
regardless of their past alcohol or drug use. Families are asked 
to complete a medical/social questionnaire about their loved 
one to assess whether past behaviour may have had an impact 
on the health of the organs. The transplant team will assess 
the health of the organs for medical suitability as well as the 
results of the medical/social questionnaire prior to accepting 
any organs.

10) FALSE 

Many hospitals in Canada that perform kidney transplants 
have living donor programs. A living donor is typically someone 
who is a family relative or who is Ôemotionally relatedÕ to the 
recipient and who satisfies various matching criteria Ð such as 
blood type. Living donors can donate one kidney, leaving them 
with one healthy kidney. Living donors can also donate a piece 
of their liver to someone in need. 

11) FALSE 

There are several different ways you can secure a donor card. 
You can call Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) in Toronto. 
There is a local and a toll-free provincial phone number: (416) 
363-4001 or 1-800- 263-2833. TGLN will send you a donor card. 
You can also download a donor card from the TGLN website 
at www.giftoflife.on.ca

MYTHS AND MISPERCEPTIONS Ð 

ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION QUIZ ANSWERS



A donor card is also sent to you in the mail when you are 
sent a notification of your driverÕs licence renewal. You can 
also register at any OHIP office, when you are renewing 
your health card. 

 

12) TRUE 

Organ and tissue donors can be senior citizens. What matters 
is the health of the organs and tissues, not a personÕs 
chronological age.

13) TRUE 

However, it is extremely rare that a family will override a 
donorÕs wishes. It is more common to have a situation in 
which family members do not know what a loved one would 
have wanted, and they are reluctant to take an action without 
explicit authorization. It is possible, however, to contradict 
a personÕs final wishes, which is why it is so critical that 
discussions about donation take place within the family so 
that everyone is clear about what should be done in the 
event of an unexpected death.

14) TRUE 

Yes, you have to make a choice; you can donate your organs 
and tissues to assist people who are waiting for an organ or 
tissue. If you make that decision, you cannot also donate your 
body to medical science for research. A whole body donation 
is an important gift to the training of professionals in health-
related disciplines. You can call the Office of the Chief Coroner 
for additional information: 1-877-991-9959. 

15) FALSE 

There is no cost to your family or your estate for any procedures 
required in the preparation of your body for organ retrieval.

16) FALSE 

Donated organs from deceased donors are allocated through 
a central registry managed by Trillium Gift of Life Network 
where all potential recipients are listed. Match checks are 
conducted to determine who is suitable, based on blood type, 
size of organ and other genetic considerations. Organs are 
generally allocated to the sickest patient who is a compatible 
match and has been waiting the longest. In Canada, directed 
donation (where a donor, prior to death, or the donor family 
specifies a particular recipient to receive an organ) is illegal. 

It should be noted that living donation is allowed for kidney, 
liver and lung transplants and the living donor is typically 
emotionally related to the recipient and it is directed in this way.

17) FALSE

Even if you choose to be a donor, you can still have a funeral 
with an open casket. Recovery of donated organs and tissue 
is undertaken with surgical skill, respect and dignity. The 
procedure does not change the appearance of the body and 
no one will know about your gift of life unless your family 
shares that information with visitors.

18) TRUE 

Unfortunately, the numbers of waiting patients are very high, 
and becoming even more critical with each passing month. 
It is heartbreaking for families and for surgeons to know that 
an operation could save a life, but there are no available 
organs to make that possible. The patient dies, waiting. Yes, 
almost 1,700 people in Ontario are waiting for an organ, and 
more than 4,000 are sitting on waiting lists across Canada. 
In Ontario, one person dies every three days waiting for 
a life-saving transplant.

19) FALSE 

There is no obligation placed on you to continue with your 
decision to give the gift of life. You can change your mind; just 
let your family know about your changed wishes. 

20) TRUE 

Only people who die in a hospital on a ventilator can become 
organ donors. This is necessary so that the organs are in the 
best possible condition and the transplant is more likely to 
succeed. And only 1.5Ð2% of people who die in hospitals die in 
this way. This results in only approximately 450Ð600 people 
in Ontario each year who are even considered to be potential 
donors. If someone dies at home or in the community, tissues 
(for example, eyes) can be donated, but not organs.

That is the end of the quiz. Tally up the points 
that you scored. Quiz your family and friends 
and remember to share your donation wishes 
with your family to make sure your wishes are 
known and respected.



Causes of liver disease and 
the role of lifestyle choices:

The liver, which is the largest organ in the body, performs 
many important functions. It is responsible for normal 
blood clotting, changing food into energy for growth 
and activity, metabolizing drugs and chemicals to purify 
the blood, producing bile to aid the digestion of fat 
and vitamins, and balancing the levels of proteins and 
hormones in the body. Liver failure means the liver is no 
longer capable of performing these functions. 

There are many causes of liver failure, and here the most 
common are discussed.

Viral causes: Worldwide, hepatitis (B and C) is the most 
common cause of liver failure. The hepatitis C virus may be 
transmitted through transfusions that use contaminated 
blood (as in AngelaÕs situation) or through intravenous 
drug abuse that uses contaminated needles or infected 
needles used for tattoos.

Alcohol and other toxins: When most people hear about 
someone with liver disease, they often think alcoholism 
is the cause. Certainly, alcohol excess is a common cause 
of liver failure in North America. However, it is important 
to emphasize that patients with alcoholic cirrhosis are 
not commonly transplanted. All transplant programs 
require reassurance that patients with liver disease due
to alcohol will not return to alcohol consumption after 
the transplant. Most programs require a six- to twelve-
month period of abstinence from alcohol and the 
participation in an alcohol rehabilitation program. As 
a result, only a very small percentage of patients with 
alcohol-induced cirrhosis actually receive liver transplants. 
A number of other substances are toxic to the liver, 
including certain drugs such as ecstasy. Even when taken 
in small amounts, these substances can lead to severe 
liver damage (as happened with Chris).

Autoimmune/inherited causes: A third important category 
of liver failure includes autoimmune-type liver diseases, 
such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary 
cirrhosis, and autoimmune hepatitis. ÒAutoimmuneÓ 
implies that the bodyÕs own immune system has turned 
against the liver. Not much is known about why the 
body would suddenly turn against its own organ, which 
is what happened in JanetÕs case. Over the years, the 
constant damage to the liver by the immune system 
leads to cirrhosis and liver failure in much the same way 
that viruses and toxins cause the liver to fail. The liver 
may also be damaged by inherited diseases, such as 
hemochromatosis.

Lifestyle choices can play a significant role in acquiring 
certain liver diseases. For instance, hepatitis B and C can 
be transmitted via shared needles used for intravenous 
drug abuse. Tattoos also run the risk of transmitting 
hepatitis if sterile needles are not used. Alcohol excess 
damages the liver. Sometimes, transplantation can 
be avoided if lifestyle changes are made. For example, 
abstaining from alcohol may prevent further progression 
of liver cirrhosis. Avoiding tattoos and IV drug abuse 
reduces the possibility of acquiring the hepatitis C virus 
and the potential need for a liver transplant.

The success of liver transplantation:

Since the 1980s, results with liver transplantation have 
steadily improved. One-year survival rates of 85Ð90 
percent are expected. Many liver recipients are doing 
very well 20 years after their transplant. For most 
recipients, their quality of life returns to the level it was 
prior to their illness. They are able to return to their 
jobs and generally lead very normal lives. A number of 
factors affect the success rate of liver transplantation. 
An important one is the patientÕs health at the time of 
transplant. Patients who are in a coma from their liver 
disease and require urgent liver transplantation have a 
one-year survival rate less than 50 percent. On the other 
hand, patients who are healthy enough to live at home 
without requiring hospitalization fare much better.

The waiting period:

Waiting time can vary from a few hours to several years. 
The length of waiting time depends on how critically ill 
a patient is, the blood type, and the patientÕs size. When 
a donated kidney becomes available for transplantation, 
it is allocated to the recipient who has waited the longest 
and is also blood and tissue compatible with the donor. 

C. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS ABOUT 

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION: JANET, CHRIS AND ANGELA



Blood matching is essential and many patients on dialysis 
machines have become sensitized to many potential 
donors because of blood transfusions they have received 
over the years. As a result, they may have antibodies in 
their system that would quickly attack the transplanted 
kidney. The possibility of that happening is excluded by 
Òcross matchingÓ the recipientÕs blood with a sample 
from the donor. In addition, the closer the tissue match 
between donor and recipient, the less chance there is of 
rejection. Tissue matching is more important for the 
kidney than other organs. For other organs, size matching 
is very important. It would be impossible for the heart of a 
two-year-old donor to be transplanted into a 35-year-old, 
70 kg. recipient and expect it to support the circulation 
of the much larger recipient. Similarly, the lungs from an 
adult of average size could not be transplanted into a five-
year-old child because the chest cavity simply would not be 
large enough. So for certain organs, some size matching 
between donor and recipient is important in determining 
how the organs are allocated.

Unfortunately, patients in serious heart failure and liver 
failure cannot be supported over months and years by 
dialysis machines as patients with kidney failure can while 
they are awaiting transplantation. Therefore, the priority 
on the waiting list for organs (such as the heart and liver) 
will be largely dictated by how sick the potential recipients 
are on the waiting list, in addition to time waiting and 
blood group compatibility with the donor. The overall 
objective, however, is to transplant the patients who 
are the sickest and who have been waiting the longest. 

Deceased and living donors:

Almost any individual is a potential liver donor after 
death, but medical tests will determine if organs can 
be used. There are no age limitations as the health of the 
organ is more important than the personÕs age. However, 
when someone dies at home or in the community, he or 
she cannot donate organs although tissues can still be 
donated. Also, if a person has a pre-existing disease, the 
liver might not function properly or a disease could be 
transmitted to the recipient. Sometimes living donors can 
donate a portion of their liver. For example, a parent can 
donate part of his or her liver to a child. In this situation, 
the donor must be willing and medically fit with a liver 
segment that is the right size for the child. A living donor 
can donate the larger right half of his or her liver to 
a suitably sized adult recipient. It is very major surgery 
for the donor.

Treating patients with 
lifestyle-induced illness:

When the question of giving a liver transplant to someone 
who has abused alcohol is posed to the general public, the 
answer is often Òno.Ó Alcoholism is looked down upon by 
our society. If the first question seemed straightforward, 
to put a slightly different perspective on things, one could 
ask, ÒShould we give heart or lung transplants to people 
who have smoked cigarettes?Ó Or even, ÒShould we give 
transplants to people who do not exercise enough?Ó What 
about performing other types of surgeries on patients who 
have made these lifestyle choices? For example, should 
coronary artery bypass be performed in patients who 
overeat? We canÕt imagine that a drunk driver would be 
denied emergency surgery to remove a ruptured spleen 
following a motor vehicle accident. What determines 
how far we should go in treating patients with lifestyle-
induced illnesses? Does the cost matter? There is no 
right or wrong answer to these questions. Clearly, 
society is expending resources every day on people 
who make lifestyle choices that put their health at risk.

The decision-making process:

Important decisions such as these are made at two levels. 
First, decisions are made as to which patients are accepted 
on the waiting list. Second, with each liver that becomes 
available, a decision must be made as to which candidate 
will receive it. 

When patients with end-stage liver disease are referred 
by their local physicians to a transplant centre for 
assessment, a multi-disciplinary process begins. Over 
the course of about a week (much shorter if the patient 
is critically ill), the patient undergoes multiple blood 
tests, x-rays and other investigations. The patient 
is independently assessed by all members of the 



transplant team, including surgeons, liver specialists, an 
anaesthetist, a transplant coordinator, a social worker 
and often a psychologist. The goal of the assessment is 
to answer three key questions: First, is the patient sick 
enough to need a transplant? Second, is there a medical 
reason, such as cancer, that transplantation should not 
be performed? The answers to the first two questions 
are often straightforward based on medical test results. 
The third question, however, is not as easy to answer: 
Does the patient possess the internal motivation and 
external support that are required after transplantation? 
If weÕre dealing with the problem of supply and demand 
with available organs, we will certainly want the 
ÒinvestmentsÓ to do well. 

In answering the third question, lifestyle factors are 
often considered. We would certainly want to avoid giving 
a liver to someone who will abuse alcohol once again or 
who will return to intravenous drug abuse. Thus, in cases 
such as with Chris, all members of the transplant team 
need to gauge for themselves how likely the lifestyle choice 
of illicit drug use will remain a problem. This is very often 
not a simple ÒyesÓ or ÒnoÓ answer, and team members 
may have differing opinions. 

When the liver becomes available, the waiting list is 
reviewed by the transplant coordinator and a surgeon. 
The most critically ill patients get first consideration. 
Next, if there are no critically ill patients who will die 
within 24 hours, a recipient with the same blood type as 
the donor should be selected if at all possible. Another 
important consideration is that the donor and recipient 
be approximately the same size. Finally, all these factors 
being equal, the patient who has waited the longest has 
priority. Given that lifestyle factors, compliance and 
support systems have been discussed before patients 
are listed for transplant, these factors do not require 
consideration at this time.

Not enough organs for all patients:

If the liver is failing, whether from viral, toxic or 
autoimmune/genetic causes, and it is the only organ 
failing, replacing it with a healthy one is a means of 
treating the disease. Of course, it is important to 
emphasize that some types of liver failure are best 
treated with medications rather than a transplant.

The crucial point is that there are not enough organs 
available to treat all patients dying of liver failure. In an 
ideal world, with an unlimited supply of donated livers, 
it might be possible to treat all severe liver disease with 
a transplant. At the current time, about 20 percent of 
patients on the waiting list will die before an organ 
becomes available. For this reason, careful consideration 
goes into who is selected for the waiting list, and who 
receives priority when an organ becomes available. In 
Canada, the supply of organs from deceased donors 
remains constant at approximately 350 to 400 each year, 
yet the waiting list increases progressively. This problem 
is only becoming worse with time.



13



ASSESSMENT TOOLS

PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT

Portfolio

The Portfolio will be used for students to track the work that they do in this unit. 
The content of the Portfolio will vary depending on the activities that students have 
chosen to do, but all students will have their completed surveys, their final journal 
reflection, and the process work and final products for their individual and group 
ÒOver to YouÓ activities in it.

Through their Portfolios, students reflect on their growth in knowledge and 
understanding of the ideas and issues involved in transplantation and donation; 
students also develop their capacity for self-assessment. Portfolios promote 
metacognition and provide clear evidence of student progress. 

The Portfolio will include:

 1) The studentsÕ completed surveys (pre and post) 

 2) The process work and final products for their individual and group 
ÒOver to YouÓ activities.

 3) The Reflection on My Learning (metacognitive activity) 

 4) A final journal reflection where students will comment on:

 ¥ What they learned from their study

 ¥ What steps they will take regarding your own decisions on 
donation and talking to their families, and

 ¥ Anything else they wish to comment on about organ and tissue 
transplantation and donation.

 ¥ Any suggestions they have to convince people to consider 
organ/tissue donation

 ¥ What they found most engaging about the curriculum,

 ¥ What they would add to this curriculum or what they would change about it

 5) A ÒContinue, Start and StopÓ analysis of the curriculum content and activities 
which students will complete to capture their suggestions for improvement of 
the resource materials.

The Portfolio can be used both to informally assess the work the students have done 
and to provide a basis for the final summative evaluation of the journal reflection. 
The content of the pieces included in the portfolio will vary depending on the 
selections that students have chosen to work on and the activities that they have 
chosen to do. 

The portfolio is intended to be a record of studentsÕ growing awareness of the life-
saving importance of organ/tissue transplantation and donation. Students can use 
these notes on the topics of transplantation and organ/tissue donation when they 
discuss their wishes with their families and the broader community. 



REFLECTION ON MY LEARNING

Name: Date: 

In the spaces below, comment on what you have learned and what decisions you have made as a result of working with 
the One Life...Many Gifts curriculum.

1) My knowledge about organ/tissue donation and transplantation:

 I learned

 

 

 I decided

 

 

 

2) In thinking about my role as a group member

 I learned 

 

 I decided 

3) I learned that I need to talk to my family about

4) I got the following answers to questions that I had about transplantation and donation:

5) Other thoughts:

 



JOURNAL REFLECTION

Name: Date: 

In this final journal reflection, comment on the following:

¥ what you learned from your study, 

¥ what steps you will take regarding your own decisions on donation and talking to your families, and

¥ anything else you wish to comment on about organ and tissue transplantation and donation.

¥ any suggestions you have about how to convince people to consider organ/tissue donation

¥ what you find most engaging about the curriculum,

¥ what you would add to this curriculum or what you would change about it.



ÒCONTINUE, START AND STOPÓ

After completing your work on the One LifeÉMany Gifts curriculum, comment on the curriculum content 
and the ÒOver to YouÓ activities. Use the back if you need more space.

Continue: 

Start:

Stop:

Additional comments or suggestions:



Balch, Phyllis A. Prescription for Dietary Wellness. 
Second Edition. New York: Penguin Group (USA), 2003.

This paperback is highly readable and very informative. Although 
it contains some recipes that adolescents are unlikely to use, there 
is very practical advice on how to prevent illness by changing 
the way you eat. There is a section on super foods, as well as 
one chapter on the foods that present a significant threat to our 
personal health. Sugar, saturated fats and caffeine are all on the 
must-use-sparingly list. 

Bliss, Michael. The Discovery of Insulin. 

Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2000.

In this excellent description of the discovery of insulin, Michael 
Bliss has produced a splendid book that reads like a novel. It is rich 
in detail and contains much original material that was previously 
unknown. The personalities of the discoverers Ð Banting, Macleod, 
Collip and Best Ð are as much of the story as the discovery itself. 
Immensely readable, it stands as the definitive account of one of 
the most dramatic events in the history of medicine.

Ganeri, Anita. Paper Engineer: Iain Smyth. 
Alive: The Living, Breathing Human Body Book. 
New York: DK Publishing, 2007. 

If there is one book that you are going to read about the human 
body, Alive: The Living, Breathing Human Body Book should 
be your very first choice. There are pop-ups, fold-outs and fibre 
optics. You will see all of your organs in three dimensions. In one 
section dedicated to the skeleton, a life-size human skull literally 
pops up into your face, grinning. But there is more: the cover of the 
text lights up, showing brain activity. The absolute best section is 
the one dedicated to the respiratory system. Under the ribs, and 
under the lungs, sits the heart. As you turn the page, you can hear 
the heart beating. The paper engineer for this text is given a larger 
credit than the author, and that is completely fair. You will see 
more of the digestive tract than you would ever want to examine. 
We all know that our body has to remove its wastes so that we are 
not poisoned, but this book shows you everything you would want 
to know Ð and a little more. 

Graci, Sam. The Food Connection. Toronto: 

Macmillan Canada, 2001.

The book can be read selectively; you do not need to read it 
from cover to cover. The chapters that are most useful are the 
ones in which you can assess your own health (Chapter 9), the 
ones that explore the power of various foods (Chapters 6, 7 and 
8) and the challenge to live seven days on the worldÕs best diet 
(Chapter 17). You can also examine the ten tips for living longer 
and healthier (Chapter 20) and Ð if your skin and hair are not as 
smooth and silky as you would like them to be Ð there is even a 
list of the bioenergetic foods that will allow you to have a radiant 
complexion and shiny locks. 

MatŽ, Gabor Dr. When The Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden 
Stress. Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2003.

Dr. MatŽÕs book is groundbreaking, not because he is sharing 
information that is not already known in the medical field, but 
because he is a lucid chronicler of the costs of chronic stress on the 
bodyÕs systems. Using snippets of stories from real peopleÕs lives, 
MatŽ outlines the impact of suppressed emotions and various 
physical stressors on the brain, the immune system and many of 
our organs. By following MatŽÕs Seven AÕs of Healing, each of us 
can protect our health before the body says, ÒNo! I canÕt go on. 
I am going to stop you Ð with a heart attack, ulcerative colitis, 
irritable bowel syndrome, cancer or a complete collapse from 
physical exhaustion.Ó You may think that you have very little 
stress in your life, or you may assume that you are managing your 
stress by relaxing and working out. Even if you are coping well, the 
suggestions Dr. MatŽ makes are extremely helpful for times when 
you do feel overwhelmed by the many demands of daily living. 

McMillan, Beverly. Human Body: A Visual Guide. Richmond 
Hill: Firefly Books, 2006.

The text promises that it will provide a comprehensive visual guide 
to the human body. Not only does the book meet its mandate, 
it exceeds any expectation you might have for an illustrated 
text. The book is clearly written in accessible language; the 
design of the text is aesthetically pleasing and reader-friendly. 
Most impressively, there are 500 full-colour photographs and 
illustrations. Everything you could possibly want to know 
about the human body, and more, is included in this relatively 
inexpensive hardcover book. Human Body is the only reference 
book you will need, in the classroom or at home. 

Nestle, Marion. What To Eat. New York: North Point Press 
(a division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux), 2006.


If there is only one book you can afford on issues of nutrition and 
healthy eating, this should be your first choice. There are more 
than 500 pages of highly informative writing on a topic where 
there is often more heat than light. Everything is covered Ð 
produce, dairy, meat, fish, all the packaged, processed and snack 

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY



foods, with an entire section on beverages. Nestle writes well; it is 
hard to think of a quasi-textbook as a page turner, but this book 
meets the standard. Nestle has received the food worldÕs highest 
honour, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard 
Foundation. She includes anecdotes and stories in the text, and 
makes sure that each topic does not exceed a half-dozen pages. 

Krop, Jozef J. Healing the Planet One Patient at a Time: 
A Primer in Environmental Medicine. Alton: KOS Publishing 
Inc., 2002.

This text will have particular appeal for readers who are interested 
in the connection between our planetÕs health and our own. Dr. Krop 
presents very interesting information on the various chemicals in our 
environment, including the toxins in our homes. Particularly useful 
is the chapter on food and nutrition; the issues of food sensitivities, 
cravings, allergies and supplements are all worth your attention. As 
a reader, you will learn all about environmentally caused illnesses, 
and you will be given the information you need to get and stay 
healthy. 

Todd, Thomas Dr. Breathless: A Transplant SurgeonÕs Journal. 
Renfrew: General Store Publishing House (613-432-7697) or 
(1-800-465-6072).

As the title suggests, this book documents a transplant surgeonÕs life 
in the operating room. If you are considering a career in the sciences 
or in surgery, this first-person account of a transplant surgeonÕs 
working life is great reading. 

Transforming Lives, www.legacyoflife.co.uk/thebook.html

This resource book features dozens of stories of people whose lives 
have been changed irrevocably by the receipt of an organ. It also 
features interviews with donor families, with people who struggled 
with their own grief and, at the same time, thought of others who 
could use a precious gift of life.

Walker, Richard. How the Incredible Human Body Works. New 
York: DK Publishing, Inc., 2007.

The human body is explored in a series of six fold-out double pages. 
Each of the fold-outs explores one key body system. For readers who 
enjoy amusing anecdotes and little-known facts, this is your text. 
All the information is accurate; the illustrators take extra care to 
keep you entertained while you are reading. An excellent glossary 
explains words that you may have heard, but do not know the exact 
meaning of Ð like histamine, toxin, peristalsis, collagen, synovial 
joint, ventricle, etc. 

Walker, Richard. dkonline human body. New York: DK 
Publishing, Inc., 2007.

The entire human body is explored, including the skeletal framework, 
all of the bodyÕs moving parts, the bodyÕs muscles, the five senses, 
human reproduction, digestion and absorption, our respiratory 
system, the brain, waste removal, chromosomes and DNA Ð 
everything you would want to know about the human body. What 
makes the text particularly useful is its design: the illustrations are 
clear and interesting. The most important feature of the text is the 
constantly updated web directory that allows access to the best sites 
for every topic related to the body. You can download more than 
100 free images. This trade paperback is included in the curriculum 
resource package, and is also available in most bookstores.

Warnod, Veronique and Carole Emile. 

How your Heart Works. London: Cassell & Co., 2002.

Every aspect of the heart is covered: how it looks, what it does and 
how heart disease develops and progresses. Diseased arteries are 
shown and heart attacks are explored, along with the risk factors 
that could lead to cardiac problems. Everything you would want 
to know about how to look after your heart, including a section on 
assessing and reducing your risk of heart disease, is explored in this 
compact, well-written text.

Weil, Andrew. Eating Well for Optimum Health: The Essential 
Guide to Food, Diet, and Nutrition. Random House, 2000.

Almost everyone knows about Dr. Andrew Weil. He is something of 
a guru in the field of wellness. In this book, Weil gives both the facts 
about human nutrition and the reasons why food choices maximize 
our bodyÕs capacity to heal itself. More and more illnesses are being 
connected to a personÕs compromised immune system, a system that 
requires rest, exercise, and the proper fuel Ð the food we eat. You 
may or may not want to use WeilÕs comprehensive list of recipes, but 
it will be very illuminating to read the principles of eating well, and 
the limitations of fast foods. WeilÕs theory is that making modest 
changes in diet can help most of the common health concerns. As 
a teenager, you are now in an optimal position to prevent health 
problems in middle age. Although your 30Õs and 40Õs feel like they 
are light years away, the health decisions you make now impact 
directly on how well you will be feeling as you age. You can purchase 
the book as a paperback, or as an audio book Ð an easy listen on the 
subway, or in a car. 

 

Winston, Robert. Body: An Amazing Tour of Human Anatomy. 
DK Publishing, Inc., 2005.

WinstonÕs book claims that the human body is amazing. It is, and 
the graphic tour of various cells, organs and systems all confirm the 
complexity and the beauty of our intricately designed anatomy. 
No reader will be disappointed by the fantastic illustrations; an 
accompanying CD adds to the value of this text.



One LifeÉMany Gifts is a curriculum resource to educate senior 
secondary school students about the vital importance of organ and 
tissue donation and transplantation. It brings to life the drama, 
generosity and the life-saving promise of donation and transplantation. 

Funding for this project 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 students in the province understand the life-saving 
promise of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. 

The Steering Committee sincerely thanks all of our supporters. 

The development of this curriculum has been co-sponsored and 
coordinated by the Trillium Gift of Life Network, the Multi-Organ 
Transplant Program at London Health Sciences Centre and 

The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Educating secondary school students and their families about the 

need for organ and tissue donation and the success of transplantation 
was originally initiated in the London region in 2000. With funding 
received from The Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Multi-Organ 
Transplant Program at London Health Sciences Centre had the vision 

to develop a unit of study, One LifeÉMany Gifts, working with both 

the Thames Valley District School Board and the London Catholic 
District School Board. The original program was used in Healthy 

Active Living Education, Grade 11, Open (PPL30) in OntarioÕs 
curriculum. The curriculum resource before you builds on the vision 
and foundation provided by this original program and the Steering 
Committee gratefully acknowledges the dedication and pioneering 

effort of all those involved in the original program.

This curriculum is dedicated to the many Ontarians who have given 

the gift of life through the donation of organs and tissue and to the 
many others who will in the future.

For more information on the One LifeÉMany Gifts curriculum program 
please contact the Director of Communications, Trillium Gift of Life 
Network at 1-800-263-2833 or visit: www.onelifemanygifts.ca

© QueenÕs Printer for Ontario, revised 2009. 

Medical health-care professionals from the field of organ and 
tissue donation and transplantation and educational advisors 

were involved in the development and implementation of the 

One LifeÉMany Gifts project. 

Steering Committee:

Frank Markel, President and CEO, 

Trillium Gift of Life Network 

Dr. William Wall, Transplant Surgeon, 

Multi-Organ Transplant Program, London Health Sciences Centre

Jim OÕBrien, Executive Director,

The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Ontario Branch

Project Support Team:

Cailey Crawford, Education Project Manager, 
Trillium Gift of Life Network

Cate Abbott, Information & Resources, 

Multi-Organ Transplant Program, London Health Sciences Centre

Mahms Richard-Mohamed, Transplant Donor Coordinator, 

Multi-Organ Transplant Program, London Health Sciences Centre

Wendy Kudeba, Director of Marketing and Communications,

Pam Logan, Communications Manager,

The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Ontario Branch

Writer:

Linda Rainsberry

Educational Consultant and Program Advisor:

Joan Green

Design: 

Niki Fleming 

Vince Rozas, design assistant and line art illustration

The Steering Committee gratefully acknowledges and thanks the 
many individuals who contributed to the success of this project. 
Donor families, recipients, health-care professionals, educators 
and community members were all very generous with their time and 
expertise. One LifeÉMany Gifts is richer because of their participation.