I don't know what happens once you are in remission, but in Heather's case, they wouldn't use anything. Not even her corneas or her skin for burn victims. They will take absolutely nothing if the cancer is still active.

I was also disappointed because since her organs couldn't be used, Heather wanted tissue to be donated for research. Would you believe, we couldn't find anyone who would use it for cancer research!?! They would have used tissue for other things, but not specifically for oral cancer research. Of course, if our society wouldn't be in such a hurry to get a person buried, one would have more time for things like that. I felt there surely was some researcher that could have benefitted from Heather's tissues, but the whole funereal procedure was so rushed that there was no time to think, let alone anything else. Sorry, I got a little off track there!

Rainbows & hugs, wink
Rosie

Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.