Why We Gather 

Whole Body Donor Day is more than a ceremony. It is a moment to reflect, to express gratitude, and to remember. Each donor represents a profound act of generosity – one that touches medical students, researchers, and patients they may never meet. 

This day is also for families. Behind every donation is a loved one remembered, a story cherished, and a legacy celebrated. 

Ceremony by the River 

As in years past, this year’s tribute took place by Cascade Locks in Oregon along the Columbia River, where the flowing waters symbolize continuity and renewal. Just as the river has moved endlessly forward for generations, so too do the legacies of our donors. 

A biodegradable wreath was gently placed on the water’s surface, carrying with it our collective gratitude. The quiet moment that followed became a shared space to honor each donor’s life and the enduring impact of their gift. 

Reflections and Poetry 

Throughout the ceremony, words of reflection and poetry reminded us of the enduring power of giving. This year, we shared “Death is Nothing at All” by Henry Scott-Holland—a timeless piece that speaks to continuity, love, and the unbroken bond between the living and the remembered. 

“Death is nothing at all. 
It does not count. 
I have only slipped away into the next room. 
Nothing has happened. 
 
Everything remains exactly as it was. 
I am I, and you are you, 
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. 
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. 
 
Call me by the old familiar name. 
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. 
Put no difference into your tone. 
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. 
 
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. 
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. 
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. 
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. 
 
Life means all that it ever meant. 
It is the same as it ever was. 
There is absolute and unbroken continuity. 
What is this death but a negligible accident? 
 
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? 
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, 
somewhere very near, 
just round the corner. 
 
All is well.” 

These words, like the river itself, carry our gratitude forward, honoring the donors who continue to shape the future through their generosity. 

Legacies That Endure 

The act of whole body donation is a legacy that stretches far beyond one lifetime. With each donor, future physicians gain skills that bring comfort and healing to countless patients. Researchers find new pathways to treatments and cures. And families can take solace knowing that their loved one’s generosity lives in ways that touch the world. 

We are deeply grateful to every family who has chosen this path of giving. Your courage and generosity shape a healthier tomorrow.