19/09/2025

Schools Urged To Use New Organ Donation Resources

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is calling on all Key Stage 3 and 4 teachers to use new, free educational resources on organ donation, with a focus on this year's Organ Donation Week which runs from Monday, 22 September to Sunday, 28 September.

Developed by a working group of teachers in association with NHS Blood and Transplant, the resources are designed to be flexible and require minimal planning.
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The materials provide an introduction to organ donation and transplantation, an explanation of how the system works, and information on the change to an opt-out law in Northern Ireland in June 2023. The content, which includes personal stories from donors, recipients, and those awaiting a transplant, aims to empower young people to make informed decisions and feel confident discussing organ donation with their families and peers.

Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Education Minister Paul Givan both praised the initiative. They commended the project's focus on bridging education and health to help save and transform lives. Teacher Ciara Hunter, a member of the working group whose sister was an organ donor, emphasised that the resources were created to inform and enable students to have important conversations with family members.


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