- CONTRIBUTED
John Reid (left) gives a slice of cake to a neighbour at his son Gregory's birthday party, over 20 years ago.
"MY FATHER said the first time he visited the University Hospital of the West Indies, and saw the medical practitioners dissecting human bodies, he vowed, when he died, he would donate his body," says Gregory Reid.
Gregory is the son of John Reid, who died aged 88 on November 10, 2004 from a blood infection.
He says, "I never got the chance to bury my beloved father's body, because he never wanted to be buried. My dad wanted his body to be donated to the students at the university to aid their practical experience of the human anatomy." Mr. Reid left behind son Gregory and daughter Marion.
DONATIONS HELP
Head of UWI's anatomy department Michael Gardner, says donations such as that of Mr. Reid help to keep his department alive.
Fifteen medical students share a cadaver for dissection over a two-year period.
"However," said Mr. Gardner, "there are often years when more students are working with less cadavers. So we appreciate the goodwill of Jamaican people who donate bodies to medical study. "
While Gregory admits Mr. Reid was a no-nonsense person who instilled a 'never-give up' attitude in him, he said his father was also a jovial and a generous man.
-J.C.
UWI's Anatomy Department
People can bequeath their body to the hospital by simply filling out a form at the Anatomy Department.
Your next of kin will be sent a copy of the form.
The agreement is not legally-binding and your next of kin can decide to cancel it.
For more information, contact the UWI's Anatomy Department (Tel: 927-0586>
