Channel 4 documents woman's dissection at Brighton medical school

Toni Crews, 30, donated her body to Brighton and Sussex Medical School after dying of a rare form of cancer in 2020. Before her tragic death, Toni consented to her body being dissected in public and became the first person to waive their anonymity for the dissection.

Now, her dissection will be the subject of new documentary airing on Channel 4, with her decision to directly benefit over 1,000 students.

Professor Claire Smith, who led the dissection at the BSMS, said: “This gave us a wonderful opportunity for students in allied health as well as medical students to be able to learn about what happens inside the body. In Toni’s case, we worked with her family to ensure that they were aware of what would happen and to be part of the process every step of the way in carrying out Toni’s wishes.

Toni before she was diagnosed with cancer (Image: Blinkofaneye_)

"Body donation is a truly amazing act. We need to train the next generation of medical and allied health care students. Once qualified, we need to help them to continue learning and to push the boundaries of medicine. This might be through developing new surgical techniques, life-saving interventions, or furthering the understanding of our bodies.

"If, as a result of this documentary, one extra person goes to a health provider to double check a symptom, or one more young person is attracted to a career in medicine or science, then I believe that Toni’s wishes will have been carried out.”

The dissections were filmed as part of the documentary My Dead Body and will be aired alongside footage of Toni.

Toni, who was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer in 2016, had been raising awareness of her cancer on her Instagram page.

After initially having a tumour removed, she was then told that her cancer had returned and spread in 2018.

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Toni wore an eyepatch after initially having her eye removed to help tackle the cancer.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School became the first school to be given a public display licence to display body parts, allowing for the documentary. They were granted the licence in 2019.

In response to the dissection, one medical student commented: “Her brave and selfless act of allowing me this amazing opportunity will never be forgotten and has truly made me a better nurse and person. Thank you so much.”

Professor Claire Smith (Image: University of Sussex)

Another added: “Working with Toni has been a privilege. A truly fantastic lady who has selflessly helped students learn about the spread of metastatic cancer and human dissection. Having her in our care has been an honour. I am grateful for this learning opportunity but also the gratitude I hold for life since working with her.”

My Dead Body will air on Channel 4 on Monday, December 5, at 10pm.