Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I set up a presentation for my students?
- Where can I find more information about health topics?
- Who are the presenters?
- What is the point of bringing real human organs to show, scare tactic?
- When is the presentation available?
- Do you go to high schools for free?
- How much does it cost for middle schools?
- What do you need me to do if I have scheduled you at my school?
- What safety precautions do you take with the presentations?
- Where do you get the organs?
- How can people donate money to the program?
- How can you tell if you are having an impact on your audience?
- Do you do the presentation for other activities besides schools?
How do I set up a presentation for my students?
You can call 360-435-7250 locally or 1-866-ORGANS 3 to find out the dates we have available to come to your school. You can also start the scheduling process with Colleen Williams via email on our contact page. It is a good idea to call as soon as school is back in session to schedule with us to make sure you get an educator for the date you want.
Back to Top
Where can I find more information about health topics?
There are many sites on the internet that offer health information. To make sure you are getting accurate information, go to a web site that is reliable. Web sites provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS), American Lung Association, (ALA), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) are examples of sites that have accurate information. When in doubt about a site you have surfed to, ask your parent or a teacher if it is a web site that offers accurate health information.
Back to Top
Who are the presenters?
Colleen Williams is a Registered Nurse with a Master of Science degree in Community Health Administration and Health Promotion specializing in Psychiatric/Mental Nursing. Kathy Ketchum is a Registered Nurse and, founder of the original links organ program at Providence Everett Medical Center, and has done the organ presentation since 1989. MORE ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS
Back to Top
What is the point of bringing real human organs to show, scare tactic?
Generally speaking, the research evidence suggests that fear appeals, or persuasion by scaring people, can be effective in changing behavior only if there are certain conditions present. Our presentation contains all of those elements. "The Real Inside Story" helps people to believe that a certain health outcome is likely to happen, that it could affect them personally, that it will be highly unpleasant, and that there is immediate and specific action that can be taken to reduce the fear. Our goal is to make sure that you are totally informed consumers. It is only when you don't have all of the facts, that your choices can become more dangerous than you know. Adolescents and pre-adolescents tend to see themselves as indestructible and may engage in dangerous behaviors. We hope that by showing what can happen for real, we will help teens think twice before jumping in to something that might hurt their health. We are NOT trying to gross you out or scare you! It is just REALITY.
Back to Top
When is the presentation available?
To find out if one or both of us can come to your school, you must call the office for scheduling at (360) 435-7250 locally or toll free at 1-866-ORGANS 3. Our office staff will work with you to get a presentation set up as soon as possible. We are available 24/7 to meet the needs of companies that need to educate shift workers and for school and community events.
Back to Top
Do you go to high schools for free?
Our goal is to go to all schools for reduced price or free presentations, depending on funding levels. We have Internal Revenue Service tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status. We have written for several grants and will announce through the media when one is granted. Check back to the web frequently for news about pricing.
How much does it cost for middle schools?
The cost is the same for all schools. We charge $900 to come out to your school. However, keep your eyes open for special offers and grant funding opportunities. Travel costs are not included in this price and it is in effect until June 15, 2008. Call (360) 435-7250 locally or toll free at 1-866-ORGANS 3 for a price quote.
What do you need me to do if I have scheduled you at my school?
We require 18 feet of table space, covered in plastic. It takes almost an hour to set up the presentation so we ask that you have the table space ready to go at least one hour before the first presentation is scheduled to begin. Not being ready for us to set up makes getting set up and ready to begin very difficult.
Please have two garbage cans, one at each end of the table.
If the presentation is in a classroom, we generally do not need a microphone. If it will be in a large room, gym or on a stage we require a hands-free lapel microphone. If you do not have a hands-free microphone we do have a small portable set we can bring. Kathy Ketchum will require an overhead projector & screen for her presentation. Colleen Williams does not use one.
We like to have wall space behind us so we can hang up our posters.
We require about 10 feet of floor space in front of the table so we have room to move when we have the teens come up front to participate in the interactive activities.
We need to know where we can unload the vehicle and the shortest route to the presentation location. If we must climb stairs with our loads it is nice to have help with the lifting. If Colleen is presenting, assistance will be required if there are stairs or a long distance for the cart to be pushed.
Remember that we are used to presenting in many locations, some have been very unusual, so we make it work whatever the conditions are!
What safety precautions do you take with the presentation?
The organs are stored in a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. We provide disposable gloves to participants handling the organs. The gloves we use are nitrile and are latex-free and powder free.
Where do you get the organs?
People always ask us where we get the organs and other detailed questions. Our answer to these type of questions is that we have a non-disclosure policy due to the confidentiality of donors.
How can people donate money to the program?
Anyone interested in donating money to Choice & Consequence may do so in a number of ways. You can call (360) 435-7250 locally or toll free at 1-866-ORGANS 3 to speak to the executive director. A check can be mailed to Choice & Consequence at 425 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington, WA 98223 and a receipt will be mailed to you for tax purposes.
How can you tell if you are having an impact on your audience?
We have received over 9,000 letters and 700 surveys from the youth and teachers that have seen the presentation and they tell us how it has impacted their lives. We hired a health promotion consulting firm to do an analysis of the letters and surveys and create a summary report. The results are posted on the web under the research link.
Do you do the presentation for other youth activities besides schools?
We have done events like Youth Appreciation Day, Grant County Tobacco Talks Convention for youth, youth health fairs at Boys & Girls Clubs, scouts, youth detention centers. Just call and ask! Our goal is to get our message out to as many youth as possible, wherever they are! We have been out to educate audiences of all ages, on Navy ships, conferences, and health fairs. We are flexible to meet your organization's needs and will work with you to set up at the location you choose. We have been invited to deliver keynote addresses at conferences and a variety of other locations. Companies can augment their tobacco cessation program by having us in to do a segment called "We're Kickin' Ash!" We can put a spark in to your program!