Ever Consider Donating Your Body to Science?

~ December 2015 Special Edition Blog ~
Featuring Guest Writer Timothy P. Christy, Ph.D.
Director of Marketing – MedCure, Inc.

“Ever Consider Donating Your Body to Science?”

It is better to be too early than too late when planning for end-of-life. Though most people avoid thinking about “the end,” directives surrounding one’s passing are some of the most important life decisions one should make. These arrangements can affect an individual’s family beyond their moment of passing.
A particular arrangement that often impacts loved ones concerns how expenses will be managed at the time of death. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the 2014 median base cost of a funeral with burial in the U.S. was $7,181 ($8,508 if a cemetery required a vault). This cost represents a 28.6% increase over the last 10 years. A slightly less expensive alternative, and an option that is gaining cultural acceptance, is funeral with cremation; the median cost for this option in 2014 was $6,078, according to the NFDA.
For many people, such costs are beyond their means, and often unplanned. Thankfully, there is a third option that many overlook – whole body donation.

When people think about whole body donation, they typically conjure up images of university anatomy classes. Historically, universities were the only legitimate option for those wishing to donate their bodies to science. In the last 10+ years, however, non-university-affiliated organizations have emerged, providing donation opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Bridging donors with donation dependent medical communities, these non-university-affiliated programs provide cadaveric resources to laboratories across the world. From research on various disease processes to the advancement of less invasive, and subsequently less expensive surgical techniques, these emerging body donation programs are significantly impacting medical science.
There is an increasing need within medical communities for whole body donations. Concurrently, the number of donations made each year remains relatively low. Of the three, burial, cremation, and whole body donation, donating one’s body is the least common alternative, despite its low-to-no cost for individuals and its lasting impact on society at large. Many non-university whole body donation programs such as MedCure cover all expenses related to the donation process, including transportation, cremation, return or disposal of cremated remains, and a copy of the death certificate. Additionally, these programs have extensive medical networks that enable them to place donors in any number of research areas and/or training specialties including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, neurological conditions, cancer, paramedic training, multi-trauma and fracture repair, and interventional medicine.
One of the factors that deter many from donating their body to science is a misperception of the donation process. Like many atypical end-of-life options that emerge, there are several myths that surround whole body donation. Some of the more common myths, and their negating facts, are listed below.
Myth: Body donation has hidden costs.
Fact: Some whole body donation programs, such as MedCure, offer no-cost services to donors. MedCure covers all expenses related to the donation process, including transportation, cremation, a copy of the death certificate, and the return of cremated remains to one’s family. Optional expenses unrelated to donation such as memorial services, obituaries, interment, and floral arrangements are not included.

Myth: Donors that are sick or have a disease do not qualify for whole body donation.
Fact: Researchers and educators often require donors with certain diseases and conditions. Most disease processes, including cancer, are accepted by programs such as MedCure’s, and typically there is no upper age limit. Depending on the program, a few diseases may result in decline, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B or C. Other possible health-related reasons for a particular program’s decline include a history of illegal drug use and being severely over or under weight.
Myth: Only the organs from a donated body will ultimately be used by researchers.
Fact: Non-university-affiliated whole body donation programs assist institutions and organizations that rely on cadaveric specimens, either in whole or part, to conduct research and training. Educational institutions use whole bodies for anatomy classes, and organizations developing medical devices and/or less invasive surgical procedures will often utilize whole body specimens. Other organizations may utilize certain sections of a body that correspond to their area of specialization (orthopedics, cardiology, trauma procedures, etc.).

Myth: When cremains (ashes) are received, they include ashes from multiple people or ashes of another person.
Fact: It is unlawful to cremate more than one individual at a time and licensed crematoriums are very closely audited and overseen by legislation. Reputable whole body donation programs conduct multiple security identification measures that ensure families are receiving the cremains of their loved ones.

Myth: Organ donation is a common option at the time of death.
Fact: Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding passing prohibit the vast majority of people from donating organs for transplantation at the time of death. Individuals who pass away at home, or in a long-term or short-term care facility are not eligible for live organ donation. However, they may qualify for secondary donation, which includes corneas, whole eyes, skin, and bones. Tertiary donation arrangements such as whole body donation is a worthwhile alternative for individuals unable to donate for transplant purposes yet still wish to contribute to research and education.
If whole body donation is determined a viable option, an individual and their family should consider a number of factors when selecting a program that is right for them. Important factors to consider include the following:

1. Cost – What, if any, costs are involved? MedCure covers all expenses related to the donation process.
2. Accreditation – Is the program audited by a third party regulatory body? MedCure is accredited by the preeminent and only national U.S. accrediting body, the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), which establishes and monitors standards of care and procedures practiced by accredited programs.
3. Acceptance criteria – What is the likelihood of donation decline? MedCure has much broader acceptance criteria than university programs, including no upper age limit and acceptance of most non-infectious disease processes.
4. Geographic coverage – Will a person’s residence disqualify them? MedCure in a national whole body donation program that accepts donations from across the continental U.S. (excluding only New Jersey and Minnesota due to state laws), and has deep ties with an extensive network of medical communities that rely on body donations to further their research and training.

Decisions surrounding end-of-life are typically avoided. But one decision that needs not be difficult or sad is the choice to become a whole body donor. It is relatively easy to register as a donor, and the decision for many is accompanied by feelings of hope and pride in one’s legacy as an individual and a contributor toward the betterment of generations to come.

To register as a MedCure donor, visit www.medcure.org, email us at info@medcure.org, or call toll-free, 24 hours a day, at 1-866-560-2525.