X-Message-Number: 30585 Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 00:14:34 -0800 From: "Depressed Metabolism" <> Subject: Cryonics Oregon first meeting summary ------=_Part_2492_32015107.1204791274354 Content-Disposition: inline First Cryonics Oregon Meetup. Upon moving to Oregon, my husband Aschwin and I coordinated a meeting of cryonicists in the area, sending out email and Facebook invitations to Alcor and CI members in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, as well as posting announcements on CryoNet and other associated forums where interested parties would be likely to find them. The result of this endeavor was the Cryonics Oregon Meetup held on Saturday, March 1, 2008 the first such meeting to be held in Oregon in a decade. By all accounts, the meeting was a success. A total of ten people attended, which was at least double what we had anticipated. We spent the first part of the meeting getting to know one another and each person's cryonics background, which was varied but notable for the fact that we were populated by several long-time (10+ years) cryonics members, with various degrees of cryonics experience. No fewer than 3 members of group have been employed in cryonics. The remainder of the meeting was spent in discussing what members can and should do to ensure that their cryonics wishes are carried out, especially in the case of those whose family members do not accept their "end-of-life" choice to be cryopreserved. Besides one's contract for service with a cryonics organization and proof of funding, several other steps may be taken to optimize your chances of cryopreservation in a timely fashion. We also discussed how Oregon's "right to die" laws might be used to benefit the care of cryonics patients. Printouts of Oregon's Advance Directive form ( http://www.oregon.gov/DCBS/SHIBA/docs/advance_directive_form.pdf) were given to all attendees, who were encouraged to appoint as their health representative a person who would respect their decision. It was brought to our attention by Jordan Sparks that Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 97.130 also provides a means for Oregonians to appoint a person to make decisions concerning the disposition of remains ( http://www.oregoncryo.com/Decisions%20Concerning%20Disposition%20of%20Remains.doc). Additionally, as stated on Jordan's website (http://www.oregoncryo.com), "according to ORS 97.952 and the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA), an individual has the right to donate their body to a specific organization. This provides us a backup legal basis for taking control of the body. It also immediately supersedes any preference that may have been indicated earlier on a driver's license. Further, it specifies that the donation should take place as soon as possible and without embalming or autopsy." The Uniform Donor Form may be obtained here: http://www.oregoncryo.com/Uniform.htm Before the majority of attendees left, Jordan Sparks discussed his vision of building a strong infrastructure for cryonics in Oregon. He described a very long-term plan culminating in full stabilization, transport, and long-term care capabilities. Though several people had to leave at this point, others remained to discuss a plan of action towards these ends. For the near term future we expect to create some modest capability to perform basic standby, stabilization and transport procedures for cryonics members in the Pacific Northwest, and Oregon in particular. Attendees of the meeting expressed a desire for frequent meetings. Ideas for future meetings were discussed and ranged from training and practice in basic cryonics procedures to social activities. During our next meeting we intend show a short film by Cryonics Oregon Meetup member Kumar Krishnamsetty, a young Portland film maker who has featured cryonics in his work. I also maintain a mailing list for cryonicists in Oregon. If you would like more information or attend the next meeting, please send an email to <> A Yahoo Groups mailing list for cryonicists or those interested in cryonics in the Greater Northwest can be found here: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/CryonicsNW/ If you have a Facebook account, you can find us here as well: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13212075469 Chana de Wolf ------=_Part_2492_32015107.1204791274354 Content-Type: text/html; charset=WINDOWS-1252 [ AUTOMATICALLY SKIPPING HTML ENCODING! ] Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=30585