I know you are very generous with your time and resources and donate to many different causes, but have you ever thought of donating your body (whilst you’re still alive and able to see what they do with it!)?
I got started on the “lend my body to science” track about 10 years ago, when my doctor asked whether I would like to participate in research a number of universities were running on the effects of aspirin on mature people. It involved taking an aspirin (or a placebo, I didn’t know which) every day for 5 years or so. Then I spent a couple of hours every few months when they checked out my physical and mental competencies. I’ve stopped taking the aspirin but they still check me out (probably wanting to find out how I manage to survive!).
Recently I was invited to participate in some research at Monash University on the Neurobiology of working memory. Now, I’m not quite sure what it means but all I had to do was turn up a couple of times for 3 sessions. In the first they looked at my cognitive skills (low I expect) and in the second they checked out my brain. That’s me wearing the fancy head gear.
I dunno what they’ll learn from me but, if we all volunteer our time, then maybe they’ll get answers they can use. So, what I’m suggesting is that you have a look around and discover whether there’s some research or project for which you could volunteer that magnificent body and brain of yours!
Now there is a real and very worthwhile opportunity.
If you like me at the 3/4 of a century you find nobody really wants let alone needs you.
Whatever your quals and skills, you are too old or, so they think. They don’t realise the pack of information and memories contained in that balding head. That’s not me of course.
Its amazing what they can find out from us Bruce… even if it frightens the hell outta them!