Question:
Shriners and skin harvesting --not a question

Like most of us I've heard that the Shriners may sometimes do post-op plastic surgery in order to harvest skin for burn victims. Someone posted a question on this recently and got a lot of negative answers, that this doesn't exist, which I'd feared was true. Sounds too good, doesn't it? Since I'm 7 months post-op and PS is really looking necessary for me, I decided it was time to get to the bottom of it personally. This excerpt is what I found on an FDA website regarding burn victims and skin harvesting. This is straight from the mouth of the director of the skin bank at Boston Shriners Hospital. Yeah, it was too good to be true. (http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/302_heal.html) "Many people don't realize that skin is an organ, but in fact it's the body's largest organ. And like other organ donations, skin donations are critically needed, says Phil Walters, director of the skin bank at Boston Shriners Hospital. Walters says the two most frequently asked questions he fields about skin donation are: is skin taken from a living donor, and can tissue surgically removed from a patient by procedures such as those performed to reduce obesity be donated? "The answer to both questions is no," says Walters. "Skin is procured from a deceased organ donor, just like any other donated organ." " Sorry to burst anyone's bubble, so to speak, but it was a little bubble of hope for me too. Still best to get the straight dope. I wish everyone the best in getting their plastic surgery and not going broke doing it! I'm in the same boat :)    — christied (posted on April 8, 2004)

April 8, 2004
Kudos to you Christie for putting out accurate information. I host a large support group and this topic comes up relatively often. Inevitably someone will say that the teaching university/hospital in our area will give you a free tummy tuck if you donate the skin to their burn unit. Even though I personally discussed this with the director of the burn unit who told me unequivocably that they could not use skin taken after a tummy tuck or panniculectomy I still have people say "But I know someone who did it!". I know people don't mean to be dishonest - I think they just wish so badly that it were true that they begin to believe it. I'm proud that you posted the information you found. Even though it's not good news - it's always good to know exactly what to expect when it comes to plastics. I hope you find a way to make your plastic surgery a reality!
   — ronascott

April 8, 2004
If some one says they know someone who did it, get their mane and phone number... and give it to me. Seriously tho, like all urban legends, it is repeated til it is believed to be true and the repeater always knows some one who..... however it ususally turns out to be their cousins friends sister inlaw etc. but no name, or personal contact.
   — **willow**

April 8, 2004
I too heard this is false. But the funny thing is one of my private doctors at the local clinic said I should donate my skin.... so she thought the same thing. ;)
   — Danmark

April 8, 2004
This rumor comes back so often it's funny now. But you know...my question is why do they limit it to dead bodies? You would think they would want 'fresh' skin. LOL Well, maybe not all stretched out skin, but living nonetheless. I guess it's all a mater of ethics....you don't want people selling their kidneys.
   — RebeccaP

April 8, 2004
Thanks for giving us the "skinny!" LOL
   — kultgirl

April 8, 2004
Cadaver skin is used because it can be harvested from other sites on the body where the skin is not all stretched and scarred - thighs, back, etc. Stretched skin has scar tissue which tends to have a poorer blood supply and thus not as likely to heal. Also, cadaver skin is treated to help decrease the prospect of infection. Skin is typed and matched like blood or any other organ, so even if you have "fresh" skin, it might not match anyone who needs it at the moment, aside from the fact it wouldn't be good skin to use, anyhow.
   — koogy