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January 2008 found me having some deep conversations with my Dad. Grandma and Uncle had just passed away, and he wanted to talk about his wishes for when his time would come. Heavy talk, but an important one that we know must be had while we are all still cognitively clear. We discussed neccessary details with grim efficiency. Practical. Calm.
Then he perks up, "hey, did you know that you aren’t allowed to donate your body to science and donate organs too?"
Apparently when he thought he might die in Berlin back in the 90’s, he had asked to be donated twice, and was chagrined to find that was not an option.
"They told me that if you donate the body to science for medical school or whatever you have to be entirely whole. Huh, Isn’t that a bummer? Ya can’t donate organs if you want to go to medical school or university as a cadaver. Bet you didn’t know that."
I had to smile to myself. Oh, Dad. Surely most normal people would be mortified at such conversations, but apparently I get this from you. Always directing P to make sure my organs are donated even though that damned pink dot keeps slipping off my ID card & even though my mum is much against the idea.
When we were vacationing in Cambodia-I noticed the sign at the children’s hospital
" Severe hemaroaghic dengue - please donate blood".
Looking at the sign, I said, "I want to donate blood here." P looked at me and didn’t bother to reply. Nor did any of my vacation companions. I considered pressing the issue, but decided that making everyone else take our vacation vehicle and time for the purposes of my donation would probably be viewed as "not fun" and slightly creepy.
Last week I made cheery plans to attend the See Jane Run blood drive. How fantastic, my favorite women’s sporty store was handing out free shirts to donors. I made plans to give my pint ‘o red and then go refill with a Barney Burger and maybe a mocha milkshake. But upon calling blood Center of the Pacific, I was informed that my blood is quarantined.
"Really!?"
"Sorry. did you go anywhere in Cambodia outside of the capital?" the operator asked.
"Uhm, well…" I thought about lying.
Decided that was bad form.""Actually we didn’t go to the capital at all, I was at Angkor Wat."
"When did you return to the U.S.?"
"January 11th"
As a regular donor they have me in their computer system. I was informed that a note would be entered on my file.
"We’ll call you to come back sometime around January 8 next year."
So there you have it. Dad and I both miffed that we aren’t allowed to violate bodily integrity for the benefit of our fellow humans.
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