Today, more than 100,000 children and adults await a lifesaving organ transplant in the United States. More than 5,000 of them live here in Florida. Together, we can make a difference for those in need. The time is now to speak life and share the power we all have, to save lives, as registered organ, eye, and tissue donors.
Shawn Welcome and Diverse Word joins Donate Life Florida and OurLegacy for the second annual Gift of Life spoken word poetry slam, Speak Now, Speak Life. We invite Central Florida poets to start a conversation about the precious Gift of Life and the importance of registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Can you capture the power, emotion and hope found in the Gift of Life? Each donation story is different. Be inspired by the suggested writing prompts below. What inspiring story will you tell?
THank you to our CREATIVE community for particiapting in the
2023 Speak now, Speak Life Poetry Slam. We will see you in 2024.
2023 SPOTLIGHTS COMING SOON!
2022 WINNERS AND SPOTLIGHT MENTIONS BELOW
2022 Speak Now, Speak Life Winner, Devery Broox
2022 Speak Now, Speak Life 2nd Place Winner, Juliet Taylor
Shawn Welcome, Host of Speak Now, Speak Life
2022 Speak Now, Speak Life 3rd Place Winner, Marquis Lee
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION AND SUBMISSION
Speak Now, Speak Life is open to all ages. Each participant is to submit one organ donation themed performance piece by October 20th. Up to 15 participants will be chosen to perform and will be eligible for first through fifth place cash prizes by a panel of five judges.
1st place $1000 - 2nd place $500 - 3rd place $250 - 4th place $100 - 5th place $50
An additional $100 will be awarded to the youngest participant awarded.
General Criteria
· The participant list will be capped at 15
· ALL poets MUST be physically present to participate
· Submission of poetry readings does not equate to being accepted in the competition.
· Poets will be notified if they have been selected.
· Poets must perform original content
· No props or music may accompany any poems - Reading off of a phone, notebook, etc is permissible as long as it is not referenced in the poem. i.e "A shirt with an organ on it is considered a prop"
· There will be two rounds of poetry
· The order of the first round of performance will be determined by random number selection
· Poets must prepare at least one "organ donation" themed poem 90 seconds -3 minutes in length to perform in the first round
· Poets must submit the "organ donation" themed poem through online portal by TBD to be considered for participation
· The top 5 scores from the first round will advance to the 2nd and final round.
· For the 2nd and final round, Poets may perform an original poem of their choosing
· Point deductions will apply to any performances beyond 3 minutes and 10 seconds
· The highest and lowest scores among the judges will not count. The three middle scores will be added together to determine each poet's score for each round.
· In the event of a tie, dropped scores will be reintroduced.
·The highest combined scores of the first and second round (cumulative scoring) will win top prize of $1000 - 2nd place $500 - 3rd place $250 - 4th place - $100 - 5th place $50 - The youngest finalist will win an additional $100.
Your email and contact information will only be used for Speak Now, Speak Life communication by OurLegacy / Donate Life Florida.
TALK TO YOUR COMMUNTIY EDUCATOR
Below you will find many resources and stories to inspire the message you will share to create a positive impact for organ donation in the community. If you would like to speak to a community educator about your piece we are happy to help talk through the complex emotions and donation journies to help develop your story. Reach out to your Donate Life Florida representative Janna Aboodi by email at janna.aboodi@ourlegacyfl.org or by phone at 4075434132.
EDUCATION RESOURCES
· Download Myths and Misconceptions Card
· Download Donation Facts and Figures
· Watch Now: The Donation Journey from Donor to Recipient
STORY TELLING RESOURCES
· Download Donor Family Interviews – Real conversations about the donation journey. Coming Soon
· Stories of Hope - Donate Life America
DATA
· UNOS.org
WRITING PROMPTS
Below you will find a series of writing prompts, facts and illustrations of the precious Gift of Life. These are suggested prompts for your inspiration. You can take inspiration from one, three or all. You may choose to do your own research. Whatever donation story you choose to share at Speak Now, Speak Life is yours to create, to help make a positive impact for the lifesaving mission of organ, eye and tissue donation in our community.
What is the Gift of Life?
Life made possible by an organ, eye and tissue donor. There is no greater gift to humanity than the Gift of Life through organ, eye and tissue donation. Through this final act of generosity, many people with life-threatening illnesses have hope of a second chance at life. One donor can save up to eight lives. The organ donation process may include the recovery of vital organs like the heart, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and lungs. A gift of corneas can give two individuals sight and the donation of tissue can provide healing and mobility to 75 more. Watch the complete process here.
Overcoming Fear to Register
Download the 5 common questions we receive in the community about organ, eye and tissue donation. Choose one or more to speak truth to.
Save Lives! Say “Yes!” - The Personal Decision to Register as an Organ Donor
Why should someone register as an organ, eye and tissue donor? Download this fact sheet for inspiration or watch the videos below.
Show Me Your Heart! What My Red Heart Says About Me
Floridians receive a red heart, badge of honor, on their driver license when they say “YES” to registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. What does your red heart on your driver license say about you? Why are you a registered organ donor?
The Call - A Recipient’s Wait for an Organ
More than 100,000 children and adults are awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant in the United States. More than 5,000 live here in Florida. Tell their story. What is it like to wait for the phone call that will save your life? Watch recipient videos below for inspiration.
Stories of Hope - Donate Life America
The Importance of Talking to Your Family About Donation
When someone does not register as an organ, eye or tissue donor the decision to donate is left with their immediate family. To care for your family during a difficult time, you should start a conversation about each person’s personal, end-of-life wishes. Having these conversations at home help relieve a family from making these important decisions at a hospital during a time of unthinkable loss.
The Power to Save 8 Lives through Organ Donation
An organ donor has the power to save 8 lives through 8 vital organs: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and intestine. Empower the community to leave a legacy of caring for others. Watch the complete process here.
The Symbolism of the Tree of Life
The Tree of Life is commonly depicted as a large tree with roots that spread inward to the ground and branches that spread outward, both connecting the physical world to the sky and the heavens. The Gift of Life connects us all.
"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." -Warren Buffett
The Ripple Effect of Organ Donation
Take a moment now to realize the great impact of organ donation on the world around us. Like a drop of a pebble in water, an endless ripple of hope is sent into the world. Hope in the form of more birthdays, graduations, wedding days, Christmas mornings with mom and dad, priceless memories– big and small – all made possible because of an organ donor hero. Because someone said “YES.” Watch four moms speak to the ripple of saying “yes” to donation.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples” -Mother Teresa
The Symbolism of the Pinwheel
A pinwheel’s ability to capture and pass on energy reminds us of the power we all have to give the Gift of Life through organ, eye and tissue donation.
Each Donate Life pinwheel has four sails supported by one stem, symbolizing power one person has to be an organ, eye, tissue or living donor. For recipients, donation can turn sickness and injury into a second chance at life. For donors, their decision to register can turn a sorrowful time into a source of comfort for family, as a result of renewed life for others.
Organ Donation Lets Life Bloom
Speak to the analogy of planting a seed and watching life bloom. The Gift of Life plants a seed of kindness and generosity that blooms into a beautiful life of hope.
Faith in Donation - What SACRED TEXT Says About Giving Life
Utilize sacred text or scripture as your inspiration in acknowledging the generosity of giving life.
Butterfly, A Symbol of Hope
The butterfly represents organ donation as a symbol of change and is also well established as representing new life and hope. The transformation of the butterfly compliments the ability donation has to turn what’s lost into something beautiful.
The Gift of Sight through Cornea Donation
One donor can give two people the Gift of Sight through cornea donation. Speak to the power of through the darkness to the light of a new day with the Gift of Sight.
The Gift of Healing and Mobility through Tissue Donation
One donor can give healing and mobility to more than 75 individuals through the Gift of Tissue. Mothers can walk again through the gift of a tendon, hearts are strengthened and beat stronger with the gift of a heart valve, a young burn victim’s life can be saved through skin donation, and a breast cancer survivor can have reconstructive surgery to live a normal life again. Write a story portraying the impact of tissue donation.
A Recipient’s Dream Bucket List
Recipients of the Gift of Life have hope of many tomorrows. A second chance at life to achieve their dreams. Write about what the Gift of Life could make possible for an organ recipient. Because someone said “YES,” a small child can play again with a new heart, a loving father can walk his daughter down the aisle with a new liver and someone is taking their first deep breath because they received new lungs. Each gift has a story. Stories of Hope - Donate Life America
True Life Stories
Be inspired by the many stories of hope here: Stories of Hope - Donate Life America
Organ Donation as a Legacy
A final act of kindness and generosity, the Gift of Life to others.
The Grief Cycle - Finding Light in the Darkness
Saying “YES” to organ donation when experiencing unimaginable loss. Families make the decision to give life as they shuffle between the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. In their darkest moments, families find a light through organ donation. Learn more about the Light in the Darkness from the 2020 Donate Life Rose Parade Float theme here.
How African American and other MULTICULTURAL communities are impacted by the need for organ transplants
Multicultural communities make up more than 30% of those waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Learn more about the facts here.