Whole-body donation can impact millions of lives by aiding in the advancement of scientific research, medical device development, and providing medical training on surgical techniques. However, whole-body donation is also extremely impactful for our donors’ families, allowing them to honor their loved one’s wish of giving back by aiding the scientific and medical communities that rely on these donations. Due to the nature of donation, our donor families are unable to hold traditional funerals which often provide families with a sense of closure and aid in processing their loss. Through our Whole-Body Donor Day we hope to honor our donors’ selfless gift and their loved ones’ strength through a very difficult time in their life, while also giving them a space to grieve their loss.
On October 18th 2022, at Thunder Island in Cascade Locks, Oregon, MedCure celebrated our fourth annual Whole-Body Donor Day. After sharing lovely words along with the poem, Farewell My Friends by Rabindranath Tagore, a beautiful biodegradable wreath, created by the Portland Florist Shop, was floated down the Columbia River. Many of our amazing Donor families were able to join us via live stream on Facebook. If you did not have the chance to tune in live you can still see the recorded video on our Facebook page here.
“It was beautiful as long as it lasted
the journey of my life.
I have no regrets
whatsoever save
the pain I’ll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care
and the heavy with sleep
ever moist eyes.
The smile, in spite of a lump in the throat
and the strings pulling
at the heart and soul.
The strong arms that held me up
when my own strength let me down.
Each morsel that I was fed with
was full of love divine.
At every turning of my life
I came across good friends.
Friends who stood by me
even when the time raced by.
Farewell, Farewell my friends.
I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears, for I need them not
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad
think of me
for that’s what I’d like.
When you live in the hearts
of those you love,
remember then….
you never die.”
We cannot thank our donors and their families enough for their incredible help in advancing medical and scientific research and education. Without our donors and their family, we would not be able to continue to make significant advances in these fields, impacting generations to come. We would also like to thank all those who were able to join us on our live stream and everyone who has left kind comments on our post. We look forward to continuing this tradition here at MedCure for years to come as a small token of our immense appreciation.
