And Now for Something a Little Bit Different (OTF Report)

OTF engages in many activities to promote education throughout the province. Throughout the  fall  OTF staff  and  leaders have been busy  with  many of  them.  We greeted  thousands of  students,  parents, and community  members at Word on the Street, hosted the annual OTIP Teaching  Awards, and prepared  and launched our World Teacher   Day supplement in  the  Toronto   Star.  We demonstrated  solidarity with  all  of  the  affiliates during the recent provincial government election by responding to media inquiries and, at www.otffeo.on.ca,  by reminding members  to vote. We have also been visiting teacher candidates at most of Ontario’s publicly-funded  faculties of education and laying the groundwork  for our upcoming  conference  with the Council of Deans of Education. And naturally, our work with the Ontario Teachers’ Pension  Plan continues on a daily basis.

However,  we have identified an issue we believe needs to be on our members’  to do lists,  one that involves education but is a bit different. In  addition to our traditional work, this fall we are rolling out a campaign to make our members aware of  the issue of organ and tissue donation. And if they choose to  become  donors, we want to make sure they know how to make  that happen.

Did you know that every one of us is a potential donor and that one organ or tissue donation can save up to eight lives and enhance the  lives  of  75  others? Hearts, livers,  kidneys, pancreas, lungs,  small bowels, eyes,  skin,  bone,  and heart valves are all eligible for donation.

Every three days in Ontario someone dies awaiting an organ transplant. What that  means is  that  right  now, today, 1500 men, women, and children are  waiting  for  lifesaving  transplants. But, contrary to what most believe, signing the back of  your driver’s licence does not guarantee that your family will honour your wishes – in fact, only about half of families will do so.

Families and loved ones will see to it that your wishes are carried out more than 90 percent of the time when you make it official through the government’s newly-launched  Trillium  Gift of Life Network. Since the online registration process went live in June nearly 20,000 Ontarians have registered their consent to organ and tissue donation at  www.BeADonor.ca.  It’s  quick and easy.

There are also resources for classroom use. The free One Life… Many Gifts Project (www.onelifemanygifts.ca) and RecycleMe.org curriculum  resources  can be adapted for grades 7 and 8. They can be linked to science, physical and health education, social and environmental studies, and the arts. And technology-savvy  classrooms can join the  Facebook Trillium Gift of Life  group and follow @TrilliumGift on Twitter. Consider encouraging your class and your  school to raise awareness  of these issues and the registration process  by organizing a school or community registration event.