Melissa Tan Marchen, 16

School: Mayflower Secondary School

Topic: An email on a VIA project to honour deceased donors

Award: High Distinction, Senior Category, 2024

Dear Mrs. Tan,

I hope this email finds you well. I am Melissa Marchen, a member of the Executive Committee of the Student Council. I would like to share about a recent family gathering at my aunt’s home where I was deeply moved by a tradition she shared, which I believe will inspire a profound Values-in-Action (VIA) school project.

In her living room, there are several clear jars filled with intricately folded paper stars. Each star was folded by students to honour deceased organ donors, including my aunt’s mother. Those jars represent her enduring legacy and the life-changing impact of organ donation. Though each star is extremely small, they represent a significant tribute which profoundly touched me and made me reflect on the importance of honouring such selfless acts.

Inspired by her sharing, I would like to propose that our school initiate a VIA project dedicated to honouring deceased organ donors. Our project is titled “The Hero in Us” with the theme “Organ donation begins with you and me.” Designed by Student Councillors (SCs), this theme encapsulates the essence that society plays a pivotal role in organ donation. “The Hero in Us” will be a week-long program, consisting of 3 segments.

Awareness Campaign:

To kick off the event, SCs will conduct morning assembly school-wide talks to educate students about organ donation’s tremendous life-saving impact. The school can invite guest speakers, organ recipients, medical professionals and representatives from the National Organ Transplant Unit (NOTU)^[1] to share their insightful stories about organ transplants. Organ recipients can also share their personal experiences and how someone’s kindness and selflessness powerfully impacted their lives.

Educational workshops:

The school can also invite the National Kidney Foundation (NKF)^[2] to set up exhibition booths in the hall for students to visit. Medical professionals can offer in-depth knowledge about organ donation, dispel common misconceptions that students may have. SCs will manage online quizzes for students to apply their knowledge which they have gained. It will consist of a series of questions regarding the benefits of organ donation and transplantation. Students have a chance to win attractive prizes like cash vouchers and stationery from the quiz. Prizes will certainly entice students to actively participate in discussions at the exhibition booths to maximise their chances of winning. Not only will students gain valuable knowledge, they will also have fun engaging in meaningful conversations regarding organ donation.

Memorial Display:

To conclude, the Student Leadership Board (SLB) will lead the school in humpback whale origami. The humpback whale is chosen because of their altruistic and selfless behaviours from their protective actions by guarding other marine animals^[3], particularly seals, sea lions and other marine animals from predatory orcas^[4]. They have been spotted intervening in orca hunts by placing their bodies in harm’s way between the orcas and their prey^[5]. Using their structural adaptations such as their long pectoral fins, wide tails and massive bodies, humpback whales deter orcas from harming their prey. This behaviour shows the level of altruism and compassion beyond their own species, highlighting their capacity for empathy and selflessness. As the school folds paper humpback whale origami, we will be inspired by the altruistic and selfless behaviours of the humpback whales, similar to the deceased organ donors. These origamis, which depict organ donors in our society, will be displayed on a memorial wall at school. As students pass by, they will be reminded to extend compassion and selflessness to others around them, and of the outstanding impact organ donors have to our society.

The organising committee is confident that this initiative will offer numerous benefits to the student body.

Firstly, this project has educational value. Students will gain a deeper understanding of organ donation and its life-changing potential. Participating in this VIA project will also allow students to develop a curious mind and the right mindset towards organ donation. Students will see past the myths of organ donation and know its profound impact on recipients’ lives.

Secondly, through this week-long program, students will certainly develop values of empathy and compassion. By honouring the generous acts of organ donors, students will show more kindness to others in society and gain a sense of community responsibility. Folding humpback whale origami symbolises gratitude towards organ donors, allowing students to reflect and remember their selfless acts. This will cultivate a more caring student body as students learn the importance of, and experience the joys in helping those in need.

Finally, the sharing sessions and exhibition booths encourage active participation in a cause that has real-world implications, fostering a sense of service and civic responsibility. Through involvement in the awareness campaigns and workshops, students will learn the importance of civic engagement. They will also understand the importance of contributing to the community, thereby reinforcing the values of active citizenship.

Honouring deceased organ donors is of utmost importance. According to the National University Hospital, the average waiting time for a deceased donor kidney transplant is as long as 9 years^[6]. During this long and agonising waiting time, the conditions of these patients will only deteriorate and it may be too late to get an organ transplant. This is due to Singaporeans’ lack of awareness on organ donation. There are also myths surrounding organ donation which deter many Singaporeans from becoming potential donors. As such, it is essential that the student body understands the genuine impact and importance of organ donation through hearing first-hand sharing sessions from organ recipients themselves. Guest speakers will debunk myths and common misconceptions about organ donation and transplantation, providing students with factual information. This will allow students to make informed decisions and develop a desire for contributing meaningfully to the community through organ donation.

On behalf of the organising committee and SLB, thank you for considering our proposal. We are extremely excited about the positive mindset change which “The Hero in Us” initiative will bring to the student body. Thank you and we look forward to hearing your feedback.

Yours sincerely,
Melissa Marchen
Executive Committee Member

^[1] NOTU (National Organ Transplant Unit) Live On. (n.d.). https://www.liveon.gov.sg/

^[2] Home. (2024, May 17). The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Singapore. https://nkfs.org/

^[3] Genesse, V. (2022, October 7). Do whales exhibit altruism? (Part 1 of 3) The Example of Humpback Whales. Baleines En Direct. https://baleinesendirect.org/en/do-whales-exhibit-altruism-part-1-of-2-the-example-of-humpback-whal/


^[4] Bittel, J. (2016, August 8). Why Humpback Whales Protect Other Animals From Killer Whales. Animals. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/humpback-whales-save-animals-killer-whales-explained

^[5] Langlois, E. (2023, December 12). Why do humpback whales get in the way of hungry killer whales? Baleines En Direct. https://baleinesendirect.org/en/pourquoi-les-rorquals-a-bosse-nuisent-a-la-predation-des-epaulards/#:~:text=Defence%20techniques&text=Humpback%20whales%20%E2%80%93%20the%20sole%20representative,pectoral%20fins%20to%20repel%20them.

^[6] Kidney Transplant | National University Hospital.
(n.d.). https://www.nuh.com.sg/Health-Information/Diseases-Conditions/Pages/Kidney-Transplant.aspx#:~:text=With%20the%20increased%20incidence%20of, as%20long%20as%20nine%20years.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2024 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