A Sacred Celebration: Georgetown School of Medicine Honors Donors

June 10, 2009

GUMC held a special interfaith ceremony to honor the 54 men and women who donated their bodies to medical science during the last two years. The yearly Donor Mass celebrated on Georgetown's campus, was attended by nearly 150 family members and friends and loved ones who chose to make this unique gift in order to further medical education and scientific discovery.

During the memorial, students and faculty offered their sincere gratitude to the family members of the donors. "Your family members are our heroes," said Michael Conti-Mica (M'12) and president of the class. "They have benefited us greatly." Each year, GUMC honors the men and women and their families who "give the greatest gift," said Father Paul McCarren.

Those who donate their body to science make the decision, while they are still living, for a variety of reasons. "The lasting result provides students with the ability to further medical research," said Carlos Suarez Quian, professor and course director of medical gross anatomy. "This is someone's parent, wife, brother and sister, and in their death they demonstrated unselfish love."

WAMU 88.5 News covered the Donor Mass, to listen to a news clip, please click here.

(Top Left: Medical student converses with a donor's family member; Bottom Right: Medical students, faculty and family members gather at Donor Mass)

Submit your news at any time to the GUMC Office of Communications at gumccomm@georgetown.edu.



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