Donating your body to science in Rhode Island and throughout New England can make a significant contribution to advancing medical science. Training medical students and surgeons, testing new drug therapies and medical devices, helping study disease progression, and uncovering m innovative approaches to treatment—you can play a part in helping future generations.
You may have questions or have heard some things about whole body donation, so we want to clear up a few myths and give you the facts to help you make an informed decision.
Common Myths About Donating Your Body to Science in Rhode Island
Myth 1: Donating My Body Will Cost My Family Money
While you won’t get paid for donating a body, it should not cost you anything either. When you work with a nonprofit organization like United Tissue Network (UTN), the body donation program will cover transportation and cremation costs.
Myth 2: I’m Too Old or Unhealthy to Donate
Most body donation programs accept donors regardless of their age (as long as donors are 18 years or older). In most cases, the health of the donor is not an issue. Scientists need to study disease progression across a wide spectrum. However, if you have a communicable disease such as hepatitis or HIV/AIDS, you may be excluded to ensure the safety of medical professionals.
Myth 3: My Body Won’t Be Treated with Respect
If you work with an accredited organization, you can rest easy knowing that the donated body with be handled with dignity and care. Look for an organization accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), which validates ethical practices in body donations.
Myth 4: Body Donation Prevents Having a Funeral
While it’s true you may not be able to hold an open casket or viewing ceremony, you can hold a memorial service or celebration of life. Many families choose to have a formal funeral service at the time of passing and a more intimate gathering to scatter the cremation remains at a later date.
Myth 5: Doctors Won’t Try as Hard to Save Me if I’m a Donor
This is one of those persistent myths that is simply untrue. Whether you are a whole body donor or an organ donor, medical professionals are ethically obligated to prioritize saving lives regardless of your status.
Myth 6: My Body Will Only Be Used for Unimportant Purposes
Body donations have led to significant breakthroughs. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) reports that past donations have helped develop innovative approaches to the treatment of:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Various types of cancers
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s disease
- And more
Your donation can help ease suffering and improve the quality of life for future generations.
Myth 7: I’m Already an Organ Donor, So I Can’t Be a Body Donor, Too
While you have to register separately to become an organ donor and a whole body donor, you can do both. When death occurs, organ donation is prioritized to aid in
life-saving transplants. Afterward, donated bodies still play an important role in advancing medical science.
How to Donate Your Body to Science in New England
Donating your body to science in Rhode Island or elsewhere in New England is straightforward. You can pledge yourself or register a loved one through United Tissue Network. Fill out a brief online form and provide some medical history. One of UTN’s compassionate Donor Coordinators will get in touch to answer your questions and help you finalize the process. Once accepted, you will receive an acknowledgment.
When you or a loved one passes, UTN should be contacted immediately. Time is of the essence to properly preserve the body for transportation. UTN coordinates the logistics with hospitals, hospice centers, and funeral homes to make it easier on families and will place the donated body with a reputable medical research or educational facility.
Once research has been completed, the body will be cremated at a licensed facility and the cremated remains can be disposed of in an ethical manner or returned to the family upon prior request.
All of this is done at no cost to the family. UTN pays for 100% of the fees associated with preparation, transportation, placement, and cremation.
Register today to become a whole body donor in Rhode Island or learn how to donate your body to science in New England. If you have more questions, reach out to United Tissue Network today by calling (877) 738-6111.
