Donors find a ‘second life’ at James Cook University with Human Bequest Program

Ever thought about donating your body to medical education and research? Well, more than 360 North Queenslanders have already done just that — donating their bodies to help train the next generation of health practitioners at James Cook University.

JCU human bequest co-ordinator Rod Cook with JCU School of Anatomy custodian Professor Kate Domett at the plaque commemorating donors at Woongarra Crematorium just south of Townsville. Picture: Supplied

Ever thought about donating your body to medical education and research? Well, more than 360 North Queenslanders have already done just that — donating their bodies to help train the next generation of health practitioners at James Cook University (JCU).

Since the launch of JCU’s Human Bequest Program in 2005, residents within a 400km radius of Townsville have been able to donate their bodies for research, teaching, and training once they pass away.

Professor Kate Domett, custodian of the JCU School of Anatomy, highlights the immense benefits for students studying medicine, dentistry, biomedicine, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy in both Townsville and Cairns.

“Students are often in awe of the gift that donors have made for their education, and year after year, student feedback tells us how much they value their time learning in the Anatomy Lab,” she said.

The plaque commemorating donors to JCU’s Human Bequest Program at Woongarra Crematorium just south of Townsville.

“From an academic point of view, students gain a detailed knowledge of the structure and function of the human body, which underpins the work of all health professionals.

“Our donors provide a huge advantage over plastic casts and online materials. Those have their place, but they don’t show the human variation in biology.

“Students also learn respect for the human body that they can’t get from a textbook. They learn to approach the human body ethically and treat the donor in a very respectful way.”

The program, running for 19 years, accepts an average of 25 to 30 donors annually. Prospective donors undergo a strict vetting process, starting with a discussion over the phone with the JCU anatomy technical team, who then send out an information pack.

“We advise potential donors to talk about it with their family. They have to be on-board; it is a family decision,” Prof Domett said.

“We also advise that sometimes it is not possible for us to accept a body after they pass away. There are many reasons why we might not accept them, so the family needs to have a Plan B in that scenario.”

Once accepted into the program, the human bequest co-ordinator contacts the family and makes the necessary arrangements.

Human bequest co-ordinator Rod Cook praised the selflessness of donors to the program.

The plaque commemorating donors to JCU’s Human Bequest Program at Woongarra Crematorium just south of Townsville.

“Giving your body to science is such a treasured and wonderful gift, which helps future generations of healthcare professionals and strengthens rural and remote healthcare,” he said.

The program team recently unveiled a plaque commemorating donors at Woongarra Crematorium in Julago, just south of Townsville.

“We wanted a visible place where families and friends could visit and know that this was their final resting place,” Prof Domett said.

Every three years, JCU hosts a thanksgiving service, inviting families of donors from the past three years to participate.

“Students are able to tell the families how much their family member’s donation has helped them in their studies. Staff acknowledge how such donations improve the student experience and their success,” Prof Domett said.

Originally published as Donors find a ‘second life’ at James Cook University with Human Bequest Program