Two world-class organ donation education programs in Canada give educators the tools to inform and empower students with lifesaving knowledge.

As the organization responsible for facilitating national collaboration, Canadian Blood Services’ aim in school-based organ donation education is to identify, support and invest in the creation and dissemination of high-quality educational resources. We, along with our partners in education, agree that education is THE starting point in the donation/transplant pathway. In a world of misinformation, early fact-based learning will equip and empower children and families to make informed decisions about donation if ever faced with the question.

After 5 years of investigation and investment, two such resources – The Orgamites Global Education Program (ages 5-11) and Chaine de Vie (ages 15-17) and  – are proven education programs being taught in jurisdictions in Canada. Both programs build on three foundational pillars of learning: organs, health and kindness.

The Orgamites are a team of nine life-saving organs known as the "mighty organs" because they represent the most-donated parts of the body. Licensed by Canadian Blood Services for development and distribution across Canada, the Orgamites gives teachers a robust set of tools to teach students the three main pillars of organ donation education: mighty organs, healthy habits and the powerful impact of kindness. Presented in fun and accessible formats, the Orgamites bring lightness to the topic. 

Created in the province of Quebec, Chaine de Vie is a comprehensive education program for high school aged students. Developed by Lucie Dumont, a curriculum specialist and ESL educator, the program has successfully trained more than 350 teachers to facilitate 15 lesson hours that cover the full spectrum of organ and tissue donation, and the powerful impact transplant can have on individuals, families and society. A program evaluation report published in 2024 demonstrates the value of focus on the three critical pillars. Figure 2 shows that education is a critical starting point for transplant to occur. 

In Canada, organ donation education is equipping youth and their families to make well-informed personal decisions about donation. It provides them with early foundational understanding of their bodies, their health and altruism, a known critical step in creating a trusted and caring culture of donation.