A Persuasive Speech to enlist organ donors
Abstract
The contents of a speech dealing with “organ donation” must factor in some sensibilities given the morbidity of the subject. The objective of the speech must be to open a point of view not previously known or considered. The communication must make the person to seek for views within the family and church. That countless lives can be saved must be the final clincher. Be kindly informative is the approach recommended.
Communication Challenge: Any speech to enlist “organ donation” must tread carefully for it deals with deep seated fears. For starters, thoughts of one’s death are a ticklish issue to handle and discuss in public. Besides there question of faith involved as to how the body be disposed. So the communication strategy must be extremely sensitive, and empathetic.
Desired Response of the Speech: Organ donation is not such a bad thing. Maybe, I should discuss it with my family members. Or with my Pasteur
So the opening of the speech must acknowledge the audience’s fears on embarking on this new behavior pattern expected:
It is not a matter of Science versus Religion rather how Science can save more lives using the organs of a dead person. So the speech could do well to highlight the fact that organ donation is critical for organ transplants of kidney or heart or liver or pancreas that can potentially help save thousands of lives. A personal anecdote can break the monotony and get relief. That Science saves lives and religion does not intrude; rather approves must be message the communicator should strive for at this stage. For is it not compassion and being useful by giving life to another even after one is dead?
Organ donation sounds morbid, ghastly, scary and weird but the practical benefits are immense and go with the grain of most religions: Love thy neighbor. CARE for your neighbours after your death. And here’s why and here’s how.
The crux of the speech is to highlight the need for “Organ donation”. The facts speak for themselves (The need is real):
110,586 people require an organ
18 people die every day waiting for an organ donor
1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives
That there are such an overwhelming number of patients who can be saved from “organ donation” must be “startling realization” to the audience. That twenty people die in the United States a day waiting for an organ donor (Eric Solomon). Such a yawning need must be translated into a conscious responsibility. If there are any role-models for the audience then the speaker can do well to get quotes on the subject.
If organ donation becomes a culture then perhaps we can save our own loved ones in the family. One goes around comes around.
(The speech has covered the ground for “Need for organ donation” as a societal concern and necessity. Now it needs to get informative on the eligibility).
Age of the deceased or the prior health does not come in the way of donation.
There are no costs involved to the donor’s family.
The speech must not attempt to change or alter attitudes at the first interaction. But it can certainly fill the minds of the audience with facts: Saving 8 lives after death is a startling bit of fact. Being useful to so many people even after death is a powerful motivation.
So a recommendation for the speech would be to acknowledge the fears surrounding death; seek the support of religious views on organ donation, introduce facts gently, and climax with an emotional appeal to save so many lives and cheer to so many families.
Work cited
Why become an organ donor? Retrieved from http://www.donatelifeny.org/about-donation/why-become-an-organ-donor/
Solomon. E. (1998). Retrieved from http://www.roch.edu/people/lhalverson/sample_persuasive_speech_outline.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010). Organ myths: Don’t allow these myths to confuse. Retrieved from youhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organ-donation/FL00077
Common myths of organ donation. Retrieved from http://www.unos.org/donation/index.php?topic=fact_sheet_7
The need is real: data. Retrieved from http://www.organdonor.gov/aboutStatsFacts.asp
It’s about giving life. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.donatelifenm.org/religiousviews.htm
