Bucks, Beds and Herts secondary students to be taught about blood, organ and stem cell donation
Teaching about blood, organ and stem cell donation is now part of the national curriculum for the first time
Secondary school students in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire are going to be taught about blood, organ and stem cell donations.
The subject is now part of the national curriculum for the first time, which on top of the science side includes Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) resources.
Theo Clarke from NHS Blood and Transplant told Greatest Hits the introduction is important:
"Its great news for us because it means young people get to find out before they can even be donors what it is all about, what it means to be a donor and why its needed.
"Its giving the next generation of donors the power of knowledge.
"We want to empower them to make their own choices. We don't want everyone to just sign up we want people to sign up knowing why it is so important and why what they are doing is so special."
Terence Lovell, Chief Engagement and Marketing Officer at Anthony Nolan, said:
“Every day, our schools and universities programmes make young people aware of their lifesaving potential and encourage them to make an informed choice about joining the stem cell donor register.
“We are delighted to have collaborated with NHS Blood and Transplant to produce these teaching resources, which will provide young people with an introduction to altruistic donation and enable them to start important conversations with their families and friends.
“Without incredible young donors, Anthony Nolan simply couldn’t keep saving lives.”