How It Helps Science

Whole Body Donation Changes the Future of Health Care

At the rate medical science is advancing, doctors and other biomedical scientists must increasingly conduct special anatomical studies and research

As an alternative to traditional burial, funeral, or cremation, whole body donation program offers the chance to make a contribution that benefits others. By providing a vital service and a pathway to greater knowledge and discovery, together we can help save lives, advance medical research and education, and improve quality of life for families and the community.

Educational institutions, such as medical schools and clinics, use whole body donations for medical education, research and surgical training, and the development and testing of new surgical devices and techniques.

Anatomy is the study of the structure and function of the human body. It is one of the most important courses in the education of doctors, physical therapists and many other health care professionals. The study of anatomy comes early in the medical curriculum and serves as the foundation for other courses. Further, doctors in residency training and those in practice often pursue special courses in anatomy to enhance their skills and learn new techniques. Body donation plays a critical role in helping medical and health-related science students master the complex anatomy of the human body and provides researchers with an essential tool for discoveries to help patients.

Students and staff are assigned bodies (or cadavers) for classroom education and have been known to develop a fondness for their cadavers and treat them with respect. It is quite common to find memorial services and appreciation events surrounding the use of the bodies. Educational institutions return the remains to loved ones about two years later. Here are just a few of the areas that whole body donors have made a contribution to medical research and education:

• Diabetes
• HIV
• Spinal injuries
• Joint replacements
• Cancer research
• Osteoporosis
• Colon and liver treatments
• Breast cancer
• Reproductive advancements
• Advanced drug delivery
• Heart disease