Donating One's Body to Science
Donating One's Body to Science Save Email Print
Posted: 10:43 PM Dec 2, 2008
 Last Updated: 10:43 PM Dec 2, 2008
 Reporter: Bill Murray
Email Address: bill.murray@wsaz.com
12 comments
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Donating one's body to science -- it was a request of former West Virginia Gov. Cecil Underwood who died last week.

The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University accepted Underwood's body as part of the human gift registry program.

It's a program available in all three medical schools in the state, representing a lasting gift that helps the doctors of tomorrow treat and cure the living.

Underwood's late wife, Hovah, also donated her body to science. The Underwoods have requested markers be placed in Tyler and Calhoun counties with the inscription: "They gave their lives to service and their bodies at death to science."

It's not just at Marshall University where future doctors of tomorrow
can benefit from your donation. West Virginia University and the Osteopathic School in Lewisburg also take donations.

For more about this story, including comments from medical students, click on the video link above.
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Posted by: June on Feb 3, 2009 at 05:49 PM
"just me" If you think you need your earthly body to meet God, then you better be doing some research time with a Bible.
Posted by: Philip on Dec 6, 2008 at 04:05 PM
JUST ME, you're an idiot.
Posted by: mom on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:26 PM
what do they do with the rest of your body when they are done with it.. throw you in the garbage.. i think they should cremate it and give it to the families
Posted by: billy on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:25 PM
both my parent are gone now and i have never been married my so called brothers and sisters dont know if i am dead or alive i think i will donate my body to medical science and maybe help someone
Posted by: JUST ME on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:08 PM
I WANT TO MEET GOD.NO WAY WOULD I EVER THINK ABOUT DONATIONING MY BODY!
Posted by: Willie on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Really nice piece on former Governor Underwood's contribution to the living after his death. Two REALLY NICE people in Cecil and Hova and selfless contributors and leaders even in their deaths. WELL DONE!
Posted by: R E HOGSTEN on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:37 PM
IN REGARDS TO THE BODY DONATION PROGRAM MARSHALL IS DOING THINGS RIGHT.HERE IN TAMPA THIS PAST YEAR THE MED. PROGRAM IN LAKELAND FL DISPOSED OF BODY PARTS BY PUTTING THEM IN GARBAGE BAGS AND BELEIVE IT OR NOT THOSE BODY PARTS ENDED UP FALLING OF A TRUCK AND WAS FOUND BY MOTORIST ON INTERSTATE 4 TRUE STORY.....
Posted by: KL on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:07 PM
They can take anything they want. I won't need it anymore. Besides, funerals are extremely too expensive. Why waste all of that money on someone who won't know the difference. Donating my body, not just a few pieces, can help a lot of people and that will be the best "End of the Story" anyone could ever provide.
Posted by: JUST ME on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:03 PM
WOW. THAT IS VERY COOL THAT HE WOULD DO THAT. OUR STUDENTS NEED TO HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE. AWESOME MAN....IN LIFE AND DEATH.
Posted by: Cabell County on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:30 AM
It was my understanding recently that the med school wasn't accepting donations at this time. Is that the case?
Posted by: Herb on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:00 AM
A very noble and selfless act. The Underwoods served this State and her people so well in life, and now in death. Just wonder why Marshall University could not take a moment and recognize the Governor at the basketball and football games this past weekend. Even with this news release, still not a word at the game last night. Should there be a moment of silence for each MU supporter that passes, tough to do; actually impossible. How about it President Kopp, Kayo Marcum, and the rest - why didn't you observe a moment of silence for the Governor?
Posted by: Sue on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:01 AM
My entire family is donating their bodies to science. I mean you are no longer there so what's the point. In our culture we pay alot of attention to the dead. We need to pay more attention to those who have been left behind and to celebrate life.
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