Be A Mate, Donate

St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath, 2012

CATEGORY: Make Our World Healthier Challenge (Physical Health)

The Idea

They chose this topic after reading an article on organ donation, being bowled over by the story, and deciding that this was a worthwhile issue for them to tackle.

The Action

The actions the team took included inviting guest speakers from the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Kidney Association, making badges and posters to help promote an app for smartphones and designing a pin for donor families.

They planned to attend the launch of National Donor Week in the Mansion House, to launch Westmeath’s Donor Awareness Week in their school, to bag pack for Westmeath’s Heart Foundation and to play a role in the Circle of Life programme.

The methods they used to research the topic included looking on the internet at sites such as YouTube, reading leaflets from doctors’ surgeries and asking hospital staff for information.

The Impact

The team formed partnerships with the Irish Heart Foundation, the Irish Kidney Association, the National Donor Coordinator, students in the school, and members of the local community.

2012 Young Social Innovators of the Year – Bronze Award

Challenge supported by