If you're considering willing your body to science, you can learn more about the procedure from my article on HealthCentral.com about How to Will Your Body to Science.
As we go through life with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we inform and educate those around us about this condition. Sometimes it’s as personal and quick as a brief explanation of what RA is. At other times, it’s participating in formal advocacy programs, training medical students during a rheumatology rotation, speaking to lawmakers and more. We do this to create change in how the world views and treats RA and other forms of chronic illness.
There are a few additional ways you can help build knowledge about RA. One way is to donate your body (or parts of it) to science after you die. Brad Carlson, who used to write for RAHealthCentral, wrote about his desire to donate his body to science in order to leave a legacy and "lessen the load on someone in the future."
Click to read the rest of How to Will Your Body to Science. In this article you'll learn more about the willed body programs that are available in the United States.
However, as someone who has a chronic illness, your focus is on living as well as you can with your particular condition. Right?
"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the game." - Randy Pausch.
Learning Opportunities
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can impact you greatly, but you can also make a contribution through a number of initiatives and activities.
As an RA patient, the opportunities to educate are as varied as the number of existing types of arthritis. On HealthCentral.com, Lene Andersen describes 9 Ways to Advocate for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Some people like J.G. Chayko have the opportunity to be a knowledge partner with the next crop of healthcare professionals. In A New Model for "Patient Centered Care", she shares her RA journey with pharmaceutical students. Others may wish to be living organ donors or instead, upon death, elect to donate specific organs or additional bodily tissues such as bone, skin, corneas, tendons and ligaments, cartilage, arteries and veins and/or heart valves.
In Canada?
Unfortunately, I could not find a comprehensive list of institutions that accept body donations in Canada.
Donating body to science 'the last best thing,' says prof is an article that appeared on the Kitchener-Waterloo CBC News site, which provides a more information about the willed body program.
If you are already an organ and/or tissue donor, consider this final gift that not only teaches students about anatomy, but also about benevolence and generosity.
Wonderful work that you are doing, Marianna. I applaud this. It is something I am considering.
I’m glad that you find it helpful. I particularly like the Science Care Memory in Nature Program.
I have willed my body to science. My son has been briefed as well.