Organ Donor Registration as a Service Learning Project

There are over 100,000 people in the United States in need of an organ for transplant. Last year approximately 13,000 people donated their organs. As a result of the vast difference in these numbers, thousands of Americans died while waiting for a transplant. Two classes in the Health and Community Services Department at California State University, Chico viewed the lack of potential organ donors as a public health problem. The classes planned and implemented an Organ Donor Drive which focused on increasing awareness of organ donation and removing misconceptions with being an potential organ donor. This event helped students apply concepts taught in class to a real life situation, brought awareness to the cause, and provided invaluable lessons outside the classroom.