While we're on the subject of death...

What a coincidence that ya'll were discussing death under 'Hey there girls' when I had just printed info on the VA State Anatomical Program yesterday!

A long time ago, I chose to be an organ donor on my driver's license which I still think is a great thing to do. When I had planned on doing that, I wanted my remains to be cremated.

When cancer 'hit' me, I started rethinking my death. I started becoming interested about donating my body to science. I was thinking that if I could do anything to help prevent others from going through what I've gone through or any other diseases that would be the right thing to do. Also, I don't want to leave my family with the expense of 'taking care' of my remains. The state will pay for transportation of the body from wherever you are when you die(as long as it's within the state you're donating to).


Following is some of the info I printed off of the VA State Anatomical Program site. I suppose it could vary according to your state...

We give many gifts in our lifetime, but there is probably none that will make such a significant and lasting contribution as the gift of donating our body to medical science.

This is a gift of education to the many hundreds of doctors, nurses and other health professionals studying in VA's medical schools who must learn how the human body is constructed before treating living patients. No models, films or books can substitute for the actual study of the human body itself.

This is a gift of discovery and knowledge to the many researchers in studying new ways to prevent illness, treat diseases, and develop innovative surgical techniques.

This is a gift of improved health and extended lives for our families, friends, and citizens.

Human remains are utilized for teaching anatomy and surgery and for research in the State's medical schools and nursing schools.

A body that is donated for scientific research under the State anatomical Program is used to train health care professionals in the health sciences. The anatomical integrity of the body is essential to that purpose. Therefore, a body from which individual organs or tissues have been removed for transplant, except the cornea of the eye, cannot be used.

The State Anatomical Program may decline donation of bodies that are not suitable for medical study. It cannot accept bodies that are autopsied, embalmed or infected by a communicable disease including, but not limited to, AIDS, hepatitis, active tuberculosis or Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease. In the event a body cannot be accepted, the family should make alternate plans for disposition.

After the body is no longer needed in a medical program, the body is cremated by the school and the remains are either buried or scattered in a respectful manner.

I left my name and number with my state anatomical program to find out more and to receive a donor form.

Do any of you know how to go about making a will free-of-charge?

Thanx for opening up the discussion!

Take care,
Geral