Announcing EDOD by Samantha Koreman

Debate has numerous out of round benefits. In the classroom, debate provides us all with the ability to more easily analyze and understand content. I mean, we’ve all heard the warrant for why education is a voter. However, the educational value of debate exists outside of the classroom.

Although all resolutions have real world implications, rarely is there a resolution that directly impacts lives in our community. In the United States, an average of 18 people die each day while waiting on the transplant list and someone is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes. Regardless of whether or not these statistics are news to you all as a result of simply prepping the topic, they are shocking. Simply put, not everyone is a debater. Many around all of us are not aware of the issues associated with organ donation.

This is a call to the LD community to help make a difference. All too often PFers and Congressional debaters mock us for being out of touch with real world issues. I mean, we know they’re wrong—but that’s besides the point. Education on Organ Donation (EDOD) is an organization devoted to educating the public on organ donation. We see the September/October resolution as an opportunity for debaters to reach out to their friends and family in an attempt to educate them on the issues associated with organ donation. EDOD has reached out to as many tournament directors who are hosting tournaments that use this current topic in an attempt to both fundraise for the Transplant Foundation and educate the public on organ donation. We are providing educational material to tournaments that consent to it.

There are many ways to get involved if you are interested in getting involved with EDOD’s “There No Debate, Organs are Great!” nationwide outreach program. First and foremost, please like our page on facebook (link below). Throughout September and October, we will be posting educational material and updates on it. The more people who like the page, the more information we can get out and share. Second, speak to your friends and family about issues of organ donation. It may seem trite, but speaking out about the issues associated with organ and tissue transplants is by far the most important way to, quite literally, spread the word. If you are a member of a team who is hosting a tournament in September or October, please talk to your coach. We have only received responses from three tournaments. Please inquire to whether or not they received our e-mail and if they are interested in participating. Third, feel free to directly donate to donate to organizations like the ones linked below. The Transplant Foundation is a wonderful organization that EDOD has worked with for more than a decade. It seeks to help subsidize some of the financial costs associated with being on the transplant list. Donate Life: America is an organization that fundraises on a national level. Finally, if you are interested in starting a chapter of EDOD in your school or community, message our page on facebook. We would love to hear from you!

Wishing you the best of luck as you all begin the tournament season,

EDOD

Our Facebook Page—https://www.facebook.com/organsaregreat

The Transplant Foundation—http://www.transplantfoundation.org/donation.asp

Donate Life: America—http://donatelife.net/fundraise/?/Account/Register

Samantha Koreman is a junior at University High School in Florida