Gift Of Body Program
Housed in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Anatomy, the Gift Of
Body Program is for individuals wishing to donate their bodies to science upon their
death. This program began in the 1970's as our fledgling medical school began the process
of training health professionals to serve the citizens of South Carolina. We are very
proud to say that the citizens of our state have been very generous in their
contributions; and with a current database of over 2100 (future) donors, the Gift of Body
Program has far exceeded our expectations. The cadavers obtained with the program are used
for the Gross Anatomy Lab for the teaching of first year Medical Students at the School of
Medicine.
Currently we are accepting donor applications from within the state of South Carolina
only . To request a donor application, or for questions, call (803) 733-3369.
Our Program Coordinator will be glad to speak with you. You may also download the PDF Forms and Information Packet
from this site.
Director: Lance Paulman, Ph.D.
Coordinator: Lisa J. Buchanan
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Address:
Gift Of Body Program
Dept. of Cell & Developmental Biology & Anatomy
School of Medicine
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
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(803) 733-3369 - phone
(803) 733-1533 - fax |
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General Guidelines for Acceptance of Donation Intent
Contact program for complete information packet or download
the packet here.
Enrollment
- Prior enrollment is required . All new donors subject to a 7-day waiting period
before acceptance of donation intent.
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- New Donors currently only being accepted within the state of South Carolina .
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- Original Signatures must be on file for donation intent to be valid.
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Shared Donated Bodies
- Cadavers may be transferred to other institutions for use but cremains must be returned
to USC School of Medicine for interment or release. Donors wishing to remain in use at
USC/SOM during the study period must inform us in writing of their wishes.
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Body Rejection
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- Contagious disease: HIV, Hepatitis C (at any time), any current Hepatitis, etc...
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- Dementia from Creutzfeldt-Jakob (early onset/rapid death) form of Alzheimer's
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- Postmortem donated body parts other than eyes to other programs
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- Any trauma to the body (i.e., accident, suicide, etc...)
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Cost for family, heirs, or estate
The Gift of Body Program will arrange, and pay transportation (within state only),
embalming, cremation, delivery/interment costs and all expenses associated with the USC
Donor Memorial Service (all arrangements will be made through the USC program, any costs
incurred due to family-requested departure from the established program protocol must be
covered by donor family. Any such departures must be discussed before final acceptance).
Any private ceremonies remain the responsibility of the family, etc.
NOTE: For current donors who have moved outside of the state of South Carolina
and do not wish to transfer to a local donor program, the family must agree to pay cost of
transportation for continued acceptance in the USC Program.
Time period body held and used
From 1 - 4 years
Body's final disposition
Remains are cremated and interred at school's expense
To obtain donor application forms
Contact the Program Coordinator as listed above or:
Download Donor Packet |
