Assignment 5A: Concept Paper

Instructor: Jamie Larsen


To: Jamie Larsen, ENG331 instructor

From: Brad Jones, ENG 331 student

Date: March 18, 20XX

Re: ENG331 Assignment 5A: Concept Paper

Introduction

I am a new staff member at O.R.G.A.N.S. (Organ Replacement Gives A New Start), and have been assigned to finish a job started by a former employee. This job requires the analysis of a Gallup Survey to develop a brochure, urging individuals in a specific demographic group to donate their organs in the event that they die. This is to increase the number of potential organ donors in the local area. In addition, I must consider how and where I am going to distribute the brochures in order to make the maximum impact on the group that I am targeting. I plan on solving this problem by targeting the group that knows the least about organ donation, and distributing the brochures in locations where they tend to congregate. This task requires careful analysis of the gallop data, as well as field research to determine where the best location is to place the brochures.

Background

Every moment of the day, 30,000 people are on a waiting list for organ transplants. Out of this group, seven will die today, and every twenty minutes, another will join the waiting list. It has been estimated that between 12,000 and 15,000 potential organ donors die each year in the United States, but only about 4,500 of them actually donate. Since one donor can provide up to six organs for transplant, the number of people that die waiting could be significantly reduced if only more individuals chose to donate their organs.

Project Plans and Requirements

The primary plan of this project is to inform individuals about the organ donation process. This includes discounting myths and urban legends about organ donation. Facts to be emphasized are that:

  1. Organs are only taken from those who are brain dead (meaning that there is no hope for recovery);
  2. Younger people have more organs to donate since age reduces the number of organs suitable for donation;
  3. The only thing required for organ donation is the indication to a next-of-kin to give permission to donate organs (just because your license indicates that you are a donor, the next-of-kin's permission is REQUIRED).

This project requires a careful analysis of the Gallop Data. Travel costs to scour the area for prime "hang-outs" of the target audience will be needed, as well as the funds to print 100,000 copies of the final brochure.

Benefits of the Project

There is no actual way to measure the potential benefits of this organ donation project. Increasing the number of people who are educated about organ donation will have a direct impact on the number of individuals who chose to donate their organs in the event of an untimely death. Even if the number of donors only increases by 10%, the number of lives saved could amount to almost 3,000. Acting now, will only save more lives in the future.

Conclusion

Although the costs of this project seem to be significant, the benefits and motive behind the request far outweigh any monetary value. I would also like to add the reassurance that this money will be well-spent. Not only am I a resourceful, competent individual, but I have never fallen back on my word - and my word is that this project will be completed beyond all expectations. More individuals will donate because of this project, and the number of lives saved will eclipse the overall costs.