The Hand That Gives the Rose

“Convocation of Thanks” is the annual ceremony commemorating the gift of body donation to the Mayo Clinic Bequest program in the Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. For 26 years, this ceremony of gratitude has given students, researchers, faculty, and family members an opportunity to reflect on the immeasurable value of these gifts. The authors describe the significance of ceremonies such as these in historical context and provide abridged transcripts of participants' speeches.