Specific Purpose Statement:  By the end of my speech, I hope to persuade the audience why each of them needs to make the commitment to be an organ donor.

Introduction:
 
I. If you were handed the power to save someone's life, I hope you all would take it.

A. What you might not realize is that you all do have the power to save someone's life.

                2. The world has a huge need for life saving organs.

B. Many people would still be alive today if they had received a much needed life saving organ.

              2. There are many people who could use our organs.

              3. We need to live, and then give.

 II. Today, I am going to tell you all how you can be life savers.

A. I am going to discuss the huge need of organs.

B. I am going to tell you what organs can be transplanted.

C. I am going to tell you how you can become an organ donor by providing you with an opportunity to pledge to be an organ donor.
 
D. Finally, I am hoping to leave you today with a new desire to be an organ donor, and ultimately a life saver.

I. Organ transplantation is one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of medicine.

A. Transplantation of organs is no longer considered experimental, but is accepted treatment of certain end stage diseases.

 B. According to LifeGift, an organ donation center, there are approximately 20,000 organ transplants performed every year in the United States.

 A. According to Peter MacPherson, in an article in Hospitals and Health Networks, of the 37, 609 people who needed an organ transplant in 1995, less than half received one.

              2. Every 16 minutes, another name is added to the waiting list according to the Coalition on Donation website.

B. In an article for the Gannett News Services, Elizabeth Neus says that in Iowa, the average wait for a kidney is 416 days, 28 days for a liver, and 162 days for a heart.

A. The Coalition on Donation website states one donor can help more than 50 people.
 
    1. The Organ and Tissue Donation Initiative says that a donated kidney can free 2 people from dialysis, which is a treatment that takes 12-15 hours a week.

             3. Your corneas could give sight to two people.

B. Organs are given to people who have a good chance of survival, as well as who need them the most.

    1. As organs become available, clinics consider blood type, body size, medical urgency, time waiting, and geographical proximity as the criteria for distribution.

    2. Factors such as race, gender, age, income, or celebrity status are never considered.

    3. These criteria are in accordance with the United Network for Organ Sharing national rules for organ allocation.

A. According to a Government Press Release, only about half of Americans who want to donate have told their families.

B. Family consent is a requirement for donation.

    1. Nearly all Americans would agree to donate a loved one's organs if they knew it was his/her wish.

    2. It is important to inform others of your desire to donate so they can make an informed decision.

C. You can also show your intention to be a donor by signing a Uniform Donor Card.
 
    1. The donor card serves as a reminder to your family and medical staff of your personal decision to be a donor.

    2. After filling out a donor card, carry it in your wallet or purse at all times.

              4. Today, I have brought a Uniform Donor Card for all of you to fill out.

Conclusion:

I. Organ donation is not about death, but rather life.

A. Today I have discussed why it is important for you all to become organ donors.

              2. Almost any organ can be transplanted to anyone.

              3. There are different ways of making sure that your organs are donated after you die.

             4. I have provided you all with the opportunity to sign a Uniform Donor Card.

B. In a perfect world, every patient in need of a life saving organ, would receive one.
 
    1. This dream could become a reality if every person agreed to be an organ donor.

        "Becoming a Donor." Coalition on Donation. Online. Internet. 28 March 1999. Available http://
     www. shareyourlife. org/becom.htm.

        "Donor Card." New England Organ Bank. Online. Internet. 28 March 1999. Available http://
     www.ultranet. com/~neob/doncard.html .

        Government Press Release. "Clinton Administration Launches National Organ and Tissue
     Donation Initiative." December 15, 1997.

        MacPherson, Peter. "Live...and Let Live." Hospitals and Health Networks. November 20, 1995. Neus,
    Elizabeth. "State Waiting Times to Procure Organs." Gannett News Services December 3, 1995.

        "Organ Donation: Get the Facts!!" LifeGift Oman Donation Center. Online. Internet. 28 March, 1999.
    Available http://www.lifegift.org/fact myths.htm.

        "Still Not Convinced?" Oman and Tissue Donation Initiative. Online. Internet. 28 March 1999.
    Available http://www.organdonor. gov/convinced.html.