Thank you for completing this “Immediate Need” form. This form will permit us to begin investigating how brain donation might work. And it eliminates the slow and error-prone process of transcribing names, numbers, and information over the phone.
Brain Support Network’s next, immediate steps are to:
- Contact the funeral home or cremation organization you’ve listed on the form to learn if they are cooperative with brain donation on-site. (If you have asked us for a cooperative funeral home or cremation organization, the chances are high we can do that if you live in a major city. If you don’t live in a major city, we encourage you to ask hospice or the care facility where your family member resides, if any, for recommendations. See information on the cooperation we need from a funeral home.)
- Identify a pathology specialist in the area.
We will get back to you via email as soon as possible. This is usually within 24 hours. (We also try to text you to alert you to our email as sometimes our emails end up in junk folders.)
We are sorry for the stress you are under. While waiting to hear back from us, please do the following:
- Prepare ice according to this protocol. You can do this or request that hospice assist. If your family member resides at a care facility, certainly the care staff can take responsibility for this.
- Share generic instructions with hospice. If your family members resides at a skilled nursing facility or is in the hospital, these generic instructions also apply.
If you are able, you can see this visual overview of the brain donation process. And if your family member has been seen at a medical clinic with an online patient portal, try to download all neurological records before end of life occurs.
Occasionally, families complete this form and then the intended donor passes away. We are sorry for your loss. If that’s the case, please let us know right away. You can also complete a slightly different form, the Urgent Form.
If you wish to follow up, contact us.
You can also call or text us at +1 650 814-0848. We are generally available seven days a week, 6am to 8pm PT.