Checking Something Off My List
*WARNING: Contains material pertaining to postmortem donation that may be offensive or uncomfortable for some readers.*
Everyone has those things that they eventually mean to get around to doing-- or at least get around to looking into. The thing I was meaning to look into was how to facilitate my own wishes being carried out after my death. I have been listed as an organ donor as long as I have had a driver's license. I believe very strongly that if there is any part of my body that can help someone else- when I'm not even using it anymore- there is no reason to keep it buried underground. I have wondered for years about taking that to the next level: donating my remains for scientific research and education. I wondered if I could donate my body but make sure that any organs that could be transplanted to a living recipient were removed for that purpose first. Basically, I have no qualms about being parted out according to someone's best judgment for how I would be of most use. But I didn't know if you had to choose one or the other. And if I did have to choose, which one was more important to me? Donate an organ for someone to live immediately, or donate my body for cancer research so that many might live eventually?
So I finally got around to doing a little research and found the best answer for me: Anatomy Gifts Registry (http://www.anatomicgift.com/). Several things I liked about this particular company:
1. I was able to fill out a significant amount of paperwork, minimizing the hassle to my next of kin during a time of grief.
2. It is free, minimizing the expense that my next of kin would need to cover.
3. It allows cremated remains to be returned to your loved ones if they so desire.
4. It allows for organ donation to a living recipient before the rest of the body is designated for research.
5. They accept applicants with almost no restriction-- if I were to die of a metastatic cancer, for example, my body could still be of use.
6. They work with many different researchers and clinicians from various backgrounds and fields, so I could be doing anything from helping advance treatment for Parkinson's or Alzheimer's to allowing doctors to hone their skills on advanced surgical techniques.
I know that some people's religious beliefs do not allow for such treatment of one's body. My personal beliefs do not allow for anything else. My body is not my own, but a gift from God. I feel the only right thing to do is to allow Him to use it for the greater good when I am through with my lease on it.
I am really pleased to be able to check such a random yet important item off of my life-long 'To Do' list. I encourage anyone who feels the same way to do it, too.
CL
Everyone has those things that they eventually mean to get around to doing-- or at least get around to looking into. The thing I was meaning to look into was how to facilitate my own wishes being carried out after my death. I have been listed as an organ donor as long as I have had a driver's license. I believe very strongly that if there is any part of my body that can help someone else- when I'm not even using it anymore- there is no reason to keep it buried underground. I have wondered for years about taking that to the next level: donating my remains for scientific research and education. I wondered if I could donate my body but make sure that any organs that could be transplanted to a living recipient were removed for that purpose first. Basically, I have no qualms about being parted out according to someone's best judgment for how I would be of most use. But I didn't know if you had to choose one or the other. And if I did have to choose, which one was more important to me? Donate an organ for someone to live immediately, or donate my body for cancer research so that many might live eventually?
So I finally got around to doing a little research and found the best answer for me: Anatomy Gifts Registry (http://www.anatomicgift.com/). Several things I liked about this particular company:
1. I was able to fill out a significant amount of paperwork, minimizing the hassle to my next of kin during a time of grief.
2. It is free, minimizing the expense that my next of kin would need to cover.
3. It allows cremated remains to be returned to your loved ones if they so desire.
4. It allows for organ donation to a living recipient before the rest of the body is designated for research.
5. They accept applicants with almost no restriction-- if I were to die of a metastatic cancer, for example, my body could still be of use.
6. They work with many different researchers and clinicians from various backgrounds and fields, so I could be doing anything from helping advance treatment for Parkinson's or Alzheimer's to allowing doctors to hone their skills on advanced surgical techniques.
I know that some people's religious beliefs do not allow for such treatment of one's body. My personal beliefs do not allow for anything else. My body is not my own, but a gift from God. I feel the only right thing to do is to allow Him to use it for the greater good when I am through with my lease on it.
I am really pleased to be able to check such a random yet important item off of my life-long 'To Do' list. I encourage anyone who feels the same way to do it, too.
CL
Have you ever heard of The Body Farm?
BTW, after reading your post, I am questioning whether those two lines in my will do the trick concerning organ donation and scientific research.
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Yes, I saw a documentary about it a while back. Gruesome, yet so incredibly useful to society! And the only differences between that and what happens in a casket six feet under: speed and visibility. So I say, go for it! No one really likes to think like that, but my biggest arguement for it for at least myself personally is that I won't really be there in my shell. I'll be a long way off singing with angels by that time. Lord knows I'm selfish enough with my resources on this earth now. Might as well try to be less selfish after I die.
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