The University of Queensland Body Donor Thanksgiving Service will be held tomorrow (Thursday 31 May) to commemorate 179 donors whose bodies were received into the care of the School of Biomedical Sciences.
The annual service, where the donors' families and friends meet with university staff and students, is a celebration of thanks to honour the donors and their lasting bequests.
Each year the UQ Body Donor Program, run through the School of Biomedical Sciences, receives hundreds of inquiries from people wishing to donate their bodies for anatomical teaching and scientific research.
Expressions of interest for registering for the UQ Body Donor Program are open to South-East Queensland residents aged 18 years and older, subject to certain conditions.
UQ Body Donor Program manager Dr Shannon Armstrong said donation was greatly valued, and donors made a substantial contribution to teaching and research.
"Working with real bodies allows students to gained a higher level of knowledge of human anatomy and an understanding of altruism and generosity," Dr Armstrong said.
"This knowledge and appreciation is invaluable for future health-care professionals such as doctors, dentists, therapists, pharmacists and educators.
"It is an experience for which a student is forever grateful and forever changed," Dr Armstrong said.
The families and friends of all donors, community representatives, and members of the general public are invited to attend the service and will join with UQ President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj, students and staff to pay tribute to the generosity of these donors.
The service will be held from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at the UQ Centre, at The University of Queensland's St Lucia campus.
To register, please complete your details at http://uq.edu.au/sbms/thanksgiving-service
The first Thanksgiving Service took place on 29 April 1992 and was the first of its kind to be held in Australia or New Zealand.
It honoured all body donors to The University of Queensland since 1927.
Media: UQ School of Biomedical Sciences, Avril Johnston-Craig, 07 3365 1536, 0408 160 784, a.johnstoncraig@uq.edu.au
About the School of Biomedical Science
The School of Biomedical Sciences has a strong history of scientific education and research programs. The School's mission is to create world-class biomedical scientists, and contribute to the development of world-class health and allied health professionals through excellence in teaching and research.
About the UQ Body Donor Program
The program educates approximately 6000 students in anatomy each year, with body donation an imperative component of this education. The UQ Body Donor Annual Thanksgiving Service will be held on Thursday 30 May, 5.30pm-6.30pm, UQ Centre, UQ, St. Lucia. To register please complete your details at http://uq.edu.au/sbms/thanksgiving-service.
