Re-use of PMs after death

There have been posts on here in the past regarding the donation of used PMs to poorer nations around the world. As you know, when we die, our PMs are removed by a mortician prior to cremation or are buried with us !

They could be put to good use if we could remove them, sterilise them and transport them to implant centres in countries where the cost of buying a new PM is completely prohibitive ….. people around the world are dying because they simply cannot afford to buy a PM

There are already several informal processes going on with individual Drs posting used PMs to India and other countries but the re-use process is is likely to become far more structured in the near future.

A British charity, Pace4life, has been created and has persuaded over 100 funeral parlours around the UK to distribute re-use consent forms to the bereaved . ( Have a look at their website, and they are looking for volunteers to help with the charity process )

Also , later this week at a meeting in Geneva, the World Health Organisation is discussing the re-use of Pacemakers so this issue is becoming far more high profile.
Mine will definitely be up for re-use as soon as I get a consent form …. " one careful owner, low mileage, regularly serviced etc " . I hope yours will be too !

Cheers

Ian

6 Comments

PM manufacturers

by IAN MC - 2013-11-19 02:11:30

I was interested in your comments, SPARROW, because just today it was reported that …. surprise, surprise, the PM manufacturers are VERY much against the re-use of PMs… they would rather sell them !

Another interesting report today said that at least 2 million people per year die because they cannot afford the purchase price of the PM

Theknotguy …. you ask good questions ; I will get more info from the charity but now that the World Health Organisation is on the case I think we will see some structured processes in place.

Cheers

Ian

BBC World Service item

by SaraTB - 2013-11-19 06:11:11

Brit. expat. in the US, I listen to the BBC World Service, and Ian this is timely: today there was a piece on this very topic. It seems that the people collecting the PMs are undertakers, who have to remove them before cremation (which is the most usual way of dealing with a body in the UK - whereas most Americans still opt for burial). So availability might be easier in Europe, with high cremation rates.

I tried to find a link on the BBC website, but couldn't track it down.

Hi IAN MC....................

by Tattoo Man - 2013-11-19 07:11:20


.................Now, for those new to PM Club ,it may come as a surprise to be told that IAN and I are in fact identical twins,..bizarrely born ten years apart !

We are identical, except for the fact that IAN is a good foot taller than me and extraordinarily handsome...

IAN, your posting is very good news. I have long been concerned that there are those in the world that do not share our good fortune , having access to decent health care.

When I had my last box change I was told that my (2 yr old) Sorin would probably be sold to a Vet for canine implantation.

Don't get me wrong, but I generally put Humans a bit further up the priority list than Pooch.

Let us know more if you can. I would sign up very happily to any bona-fide scheme that would recycle my PM and I know for certain that every member of my Family would be right behind me.

Best wishes Friend !

Tattoo Man

donors

by Alma Annie - 2013-11-19 07:11:40

I would also like to donate if I knew how and if my pm still had useful life. Does anyone know about any such charities in Australia? I have opted for burial but as I am an organ donor my body will be opened up anyway. I was going to leave body for medical science, but family not happy with that.
Alma Annie

Up to us?

by Theknotguy - 2013-11-19 11:11:44

Guess it's up to us to supply the charity with parts? Guess we'll have to let people know.

Maybe we can tell the website organizers to add a forum for the re-use of PM's. That way we'll know who can recycle, where to recycle, and what can be done.

Sounds like a great idea.

Theknotguy

Jonathan1

by Jonathan1" - 2013-11-24 04:11:29

I'm in the USA and would like more info on donating my Pacemaker. Please keep me posted. Thanks.

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