Organ and Full Body Donation
At the end of the physical life of a person, many in our culture believe that the spirit leaves the body and lives on, perhaps in a new reality but also, at least for a time, in the memories of loved ones still living. The body returns to the earth in one form or another, in burial or scattering of ashes. Some people take comfort in keeping part of the physical body of their loved one alive for a time by prolonging the life of one or more persons through organ donation. Tens of thousands of people in this country are currently waiting for life-saving transplants. Fifteen to twenty of these individuals die each day due to lack of a needed organ. Making the decision now to be an organ donor could save or improve many lives through the use of skin, cornea, heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, pancreas, bone, veins and other tissues and organs. There is no cost to you, your family, or estate for organ donation. Donating a full body for medical research is another option. In this case, a representative from the recipient medical school will pick up the body, at no (or minimal) cost to you, and take it back to the school where it will be embalmed and stored until the beginning of a semester when it will be used for instructing medical students in anatomy. When the semester ends, the body will be cremated. You can arrange to have the ashes returned to the family for scattering or burial. It is necessary to pre-arrange this gift with the medical school (U of A in AZ). While organ and body donation are extremely generous gifts for the benefit of others, it is very important to research any facility prior to need. Unfortunately, wherever money is to be made, some individuals take advantage of the situation and of the trusting nature of the average person. Illegitimate companies may offer some compensation or may emphasize savings from eliminating funeral expenses altogether. They may even have paperwork indicating that they have been accredited by valid organizations which turn out to be questionable or even phony. Additionally, you should ask if they are a not-for-profit organization. If the answer is no, be advised that sale of body parts is a business that returns significant money to the company. There is nothing illegal about this but you should be aware that your loved ones parts will be sold in the US or overseas. This author is an organ donor. I have registered as an organ donor in my state and I have a sticker on my driver's license. Arizona residents may register to be an organ and tissue donor at www.DonateLifeAZ.org or 1-800-94-DONOR. I also have a living will specifying my wish that any acceptable organs and tissue be donated for transplant and research. For information on donation options you can trust, contact DonateLifeAZ.org. When you take the time to ensure that your gift will be used for good rather than for profit, you will find peace of mind and heart from making this life-giving gift. |
