Hillary Wee, 15

School: North Vista Secondary School

Topic: An email to the Head of CCA on an organ donation awareness project

Award: High Distinction, Senior Category, 2023

Dear Mr Javier Yon

I am Hillary Wee from 3E3 and I am the Chairperson of Netball. On behalf of the organising committee, I am writing to propose a project to raise awareness for organ donation and transplantation amongst the student body. The committee has chosen to organise a Wellness Carnival to raise awareness for organ donation and transplantation. After carefully considering the perspectives and interests of the student body, the organising committee strongly believes that by incorporating enjoyable elements in the carnival, students will develop a lasting and positive stance towards organ donation and transplantation. This project will be held towards the end of Term 3, after the students have completed their Weighted Assessment 3.

Due to the fact that this is going to be a large-scale project, the planning and execution would take place over the span of two months, and the process would teach the student leaders how to manage the project timeline. The carnival would include a wide array of carnival games and information booths about organ donation. By participating in or taking charge of these exciting activities, students and the student leaders will not only have a great time but also develop invaluable leadership skills as they guide and inspire others towards adopting a healthier lifestyle. We seek to share the profound benefits of organ transplantation through fun and interactive activities. These engaging experiences will enable participants to gain a deeper understanding of the life-changing impact that organ donation can have on individuals and their families. By fostering a sense of camaraderie and empathy, we aim to instil a desire to support this vital cause within our North Vista community.

As all Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) leaders will be contributing to this project, this would help to boost the North Vista school spirit and will encourage students to be participative no matter their background and CCA when they see the student leaders from the respective CCAs leading the programme. The individual CCA leaders will also learn to take charge of what they are assigned to and develop responsibility which is required in every CCA. The students involved will be assigned to groups to work together with, in order to execute the project. This creates opportunities for student leaders to develop essential life skills such as teamwork, decision-making and effective communication. Each group is assigned a Logistics In-charge (IC) and a Resource IC, these students will be in-charge of consolidating all required logistics and resources. They will also research the needed items for each carnival station respectively and ensure that minimal finances are incurred.

Being in the organising committee has given me opportunities to learn how to plan and execute an event well as this event is fully planned and implemented by the students. Additionally, learning how to work with a diverse group of people has benefited me greatly because I have learnt how to make decisions rationally, weigh the pros and cons of each shortlisted activity, and I have also learnt to resolve disagreements and differing opinions within the group. Not only has being in the committee taught me skills, but values as well, the project has deepened my responsibility and commitment, as well as collaboration with others. Finally, this project has widened my perspectives on organ donation, and it has allowed me to empathise with people who are in need of an organ transplant and have been on the waiting list for a long period of time.

I firmly believe that it is vital to raise awareness about organ donation and transplantation because seventeen people die each day waiting for an organ transplant, and in every ten minutes, one new person gets added to the waiting list which could go up to five to seven years of wait. Out of 90,483 people on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, only 24,670 receive a transplant. However, a person can save at least seven lives by donating his or her organs. To further amplify the positive impact of this project, we propose incorporating roleplay activities into the event. This component will encourage participants to immerse themselves in acts of altruism, specifically highlighting the significance of organ donation. By stepping into the shoes of individuals involved in these selfless acts, students will not only deepen their understanding but also inspire others to consider the life-saving potential of organ donation. The pinnacle focus must be to build awareness about organ donation and bring people together to pledge their organs in the future.

Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, I am confident that this project will indeed raise awareness about this topic which is not often talked about, and will give the student population an insight into the lives of those who are waiting for a transplant and for those who have received a transplant - another shot at life. Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions about the project. Thank you and I hope to receive your approval for the project.

Yours sincerely,
Hillary

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2023 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health). To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg