September 30, 2014

Ceremony marks appreciation for body donations

UOW's Body Donation Program is one of the most successful in Australia, and today (30 September) staff and students had the chance to show their appreciation.

More than 200 people attended the annual Ceremony of Appreciation at the University Hall, including people who have joined the donors list and relatives of people who have donated their bodies to the program.

Since UOW’s Body Donation Program started in 2005 the University has received more than 230 bodies and the program currently has around 1120 donors on its books.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings (pictured above) said UOW was extremely heartened by the support it received for the Body Donation Program, as it demonstrated the great connection UOW has with its community.

"All our health and medical research and training programs have a strong focus on improving the health and well-being of the Illawarra community, so it is heartening to have this two-way partnership where the community so obviously feels it wants to contribute to the effectiveness of those programs,” Professor Wellings said.

“Clearly there couldn’t be a more significant contribution than to be part of the Body Donation Program. This is an invaluable training and educational experience for our students, one that cannot be gained from manufactured anatomical models or from text books.”

Dean of Medicine Professor Ian Wilson told the guests at the ceremony that the Body Donation Program supports the educational needs of over 1000 students per week from the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health encompassing the disciplines of medicine, exercise science and rehabilitation, medical and health sciences, nutrition and dietetics, public health and physical education.

Students Kathryn Gaskin (left) and Jill De Coster light the Flame of remembrance at the ceremony of Appreciation for UOW’s Body Donation program.

“The benefit of donations to this program and to the community is incalculable,” Professor Wilson said.

Students Jill De Coster and Kathryn Gaskin also spoke about the importance of the program and the Anatomy Laboratory to their studies.

Ms De Coster, a second year Medicine student described the decision to donate your body to medical science as “an incredible contribution to our learning … a process completely reliant on the generosity of those who participate (in the program)”.

Master of Science student Kathryn Gaskin, who is majoring in Anatomical Research and teaches in the Anatomy Laboratory, said being able to work with donated bodies was a valuable learning experience not offered by many universities.

“I was overwhelmed when I first experienced the Anatomy Lab, and realised how many people had donated their bodies to the program,” she said.

UOW also maintains a Garden of Remembrance at Lakeside Memorial Gardens to honour and remember those who have donated their bodies to the program.