How can patients help?
It is only when patients undergoing surgery or biopsy donate tissue that tissue becomes available for research. Patients, their families and the public can help support research using biospecimens in the following ways:
Learn more about how tissue samples help medical research
http://www.biobankireland.com/
http://www.biospecimens.cancer.gov/
http://www.isber.org/
http://www.biobankcentral.org/
http://www.walescancerbank.org/
Consider donating a sample from your operation or biopsy specimen
As a patient scheduled for surgery or a biopsy, you may be asked before the procedure if you would agree to donate a sample for research. You will receive information describing how the process works, as well as a consent form to review.
Donating your samples is entirely voluntary, and does not involve any additional surgical procedure. Whether or not you decide to donate, there will be no difference to the surgical procedure itself. Your specimens cannot be taken until you give written consent (permission), and you will be able to withdraw that permission at any time thereafter.
Spread the word
Tell others what you’ve learned about how research depends on patient donors and steer them to this website.
Share your thoughts
Contact one of the patient groups or Biobank Ireland Trust.