Brisbane man Keith Loft isn't a stranger to thinking about death. As a disaster victim identification specialist working in forensics he faces the realities of it every day.
But it was thinking about his own death, and what kind of legacy he could leave, that led him to make a unique bequest to Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
"I was thinking about how I could assist future generations in their studies, but I don't have millions of dollars to place in a philanthropic research fund," Mr Loft, 52, said.
"I know that the best way to learn human anatomy is by sight and touch. So I decided to join the body bequest program at QUT where my body can potentially be of benefit to others after my death. After all, it's not going to be any good to me."
QUT's Body Bequest Program offers an opportunity to give a gift that goes one step further than organ donation.
The program provides surgeons with a valuable resource to practice and trial new surgical techniques and procedures in a specialised surgical skills centre.
It's also one of the only body donor programs that is able to accept bequests from people also wishing to become organ donors, or who have died in circumstances that legally require them to undergo full or partial autopsies.
The opportunity to make an enduring gesture also attracted 48-year-old Sunshine Coast resident and Buddhist nun Venerable Lozang Drolkar.
"Through organ donation I can hopefully help people continue to live their lives," Ven. Drolkar said.
"Now, by bequeathing my entire body to QUT, I can help doctors practice new surgical techniques which will benefit even more people in a different capacity."
Ven. Drolkar said she discussed the idea with her daughter before signing up, explaining that QUT would take care of her cremation.
"She's the one who will be left behind so it was important to me to understand how she would feel," Ven. Drolkar said.
"I researched similar programs at other universities but recognised very quickly that QUT's program handled the process well and will treat my body in a professional and dignified manner. You can also change your mind at any time."
Leading Brisbane surgeon and professor of QUT's orthopaedic research, Ross Crawford, said the program had enabled many surgeons to advance their surgical techniques and train other doctors.
"I'm able to use the facility before performing complex procedures to refresh my knowledge and identify where the nerves and vessels are at risk. We've also practiced laparoscopic techniques and the implantation of medical devices," he said.
"The operating theatre is state-of-the-art. We have theatre nurses helping with the instrumentation and I often forget we're not doing a real operation on a live human being."
Professor Crawford said the surgical teams were always mindful of the donor's generosity.
"At the end of surgery we take a moment to acknowledge the donor who's enabled us to benefit from their bequest," he said.
Ian Mellor, who supervises the Body Bequest program, said in Australia, you had to 'opt-in' and register with the program to donate your body to science and participation rates are extremely low. He runs information sessions in the community to explain how the program works.
"We get a very positive reaction. People are excited to learn that it's not about basic anatomy, but offering the highest possible level of training to surgeons, doctors, and health professionals" said Mr Mellor.
For Ven. Drolkar, becoming a donor has ensured others can learn and benefit from the donation of her body. "As a Buddhist I believe that once I'm dead my mind leaves my body - so I have no attachment to it being 'mine' any longer," she said.
"It's actually a bit of a novelty to think about all the adventures it might go on after I'm gone."
For more information on the QUT Body Bequest Program contact (07) 3138 6944, email bodybequestofficer@qut.edu.au, fax (07) 3138 6936 or mail GPO Box 2434
Brisbane QLD 4001.
Media Contact: Katrina Blowers, QUT Media Officer, 07 3138 2999 or katrina.blowers@qut.edu.au
Ian Eckersley, QUT Media Manager, 07 3138 2361/ 0432 754 897 or ian.eckersley@qut.edu.au
