title: Two-year Experience of the "Organ Donation Week" of the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Today, Brazil is the second country of the world in number of transplants. Nonetheless, waiting lists are getting longer. This lack of organs occurs mostly because of people's reduced knowledge about the donation process. With the aim of changing this scenario, in 2013 and 2014, "Organ Donation Week" events were held at the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the 2 years, documentaries followed by a cycle of debates with experts in this area were exhibited. In 2013, a "flash-mob" took place, with the purpose of performing a "transplant waiting list" around the perimeter of Santa Casa's Hospital Complex. In 2014, a morning full of educational activities was planned for the pediatric patients from the Santo Antônio Children's Hospital and their relatives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It is estimated that approximately 1774 people were directly reached by the projects. Among these people, we can include medical students, healthcare professionals, university staff, transplanted patients, and their families. We believe that education and consciousness are central points in the donation and transplant process. Through this project, we could inform people about it, solving their doubts and myths and stimulating this kind of conversation among the family circle, making the moment when the family must make the decision much easier.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Education and public awareness are essential for enhancing the number of organ donations. Therefore, events such as "Organ Donation Week" should be encouraged among medical schools.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dal Pupo
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Electronic address: mhgzanon@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zanon
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Tech
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cornelli
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: do Valle Pereira
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bertoglio
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perusato
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: A J C
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marinho
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: A P S
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dom Vicente Scherer, Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003142:Communication; D004493:Education / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D014495:Universities; D014850:Waiting Lists