Consider this donation

To the Editor:

Some 60 years ago, before seat belts, my car was rear-ended by a drunk driver and my car hit the car ahead of me. I suffered a severe whiplash injury and found myself on the floor under the steering wheel.

Afterwards, I saw a neurosurgeon and he tried multiple non-invasive procedures to relieve my severe neck and left arm pain, to no avail. The last thing he could do was surgery, so surgery I had. When I awoke from the anesthesia I knew the surgery was successful — no more pain!

My family doctor had assisted with my surgery and later told me a bit about it. The neurosurgeon made a small incision in the front of my neck, drilled some holes in my vertebrae, and then pounded in some cadaver bone plugs, which have supported my neck all these many years, pain free.

I say “thank you” many times to that generous person who donated her/his body to a medical teaching hospital and the doctors who harvested the bones which have benefitted me so.

The only way I know to show my gratitude is to donate my body to the UC Davis School of Medicine Body Donation Program. Having actual human bodies to learn from, in my opinion, is the very best way to teach doctors their art. The human body, under the skin, is beautiful and awesome.

Please consider donating your body and give the gift of knowledge.

UC Davis School of Medicine - Body Donation Program

Phone: (916) 734-9560, Fax: (916) 734-9563, email: icdmc.uc.davis.edu/bodydonation

Barbara B. Fletcher

Sonora