Do you want to contribute to scientific research without joining a clinical trial? One incredible way to help our research efforts and push the science forward is to donate biological specimens or biospecimens (eg. blood, saliva, urine, skin cells, etc.) to the CNG’s blood and tissue collection. These donations ensure medical researchers have the vital resources to learn about neurological diseases and helps to develop new therapies for some of the most devastating genetic neurological diseases affecting our society and communities.
Who We’re Looking For:
We’re looking for individuals and/or family members of those who have been diagnosed with the following diseases:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Myotonic dystrophy (DM1 & DM2)
- Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCAs) and other ataxias
- Huntington’s disease (HD)
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and other dementias
- Other genetic neurological diseases
Please contact Deborah Morrison at dgmorrison@ufl.edu or (352) 273-5189 to learn more.
What We’re Collecting:
To advance our fight against these crippling genetic neurological diseases, researchers need access to biological tissues including: blood, urine, skin cells and saliva. Sometimes these samples can be collected from other surgical or medical procedures you are undergoing, without any additional effort on your part. While we collect an assortment of biospecimens, typically only one or two forms of tissues are collected from any individual. The most frequent tissue donated is blood, which is used across a variety of different research studies. The type of tissue, how it is collected and what other information may be needed will depend on the specific study.
How to Donate a Biospecimen
Donating to our blood and tissue collection is an easy and straightforward process. Simply follow these steps:
- Contact the clinical coordinator, Deborah Morrison, either through email dgmorrison@ufl.edu, or by phone at (352) 273-5189. She will discuss the program with you and your family, and answer all of your questions. You will be given as much time as you need to consider whether donating is right for you. Call us for more information or just to learn more about the program and our research doesn’t obligate you to do anything further.
- If you decide that tissue donation is right for you, the necessary documents can be sent to you via email or through regular mail and an appointment, typically a phone call, will be made to review, complete, and sign them.
- After all forms are completed and received by UF, you will be provided with instructions on where and how to donate your tissues. Sometime the donation can be done in the comfort of your own home, at your local doctors office or at a nearby medical facility
- Donate tissues and rest assured knowing that you’ve done a great service to the scientific community at the University of Florida and abroad.
*Your participation in research is entirely voluntary and you are always free to change your mind. If you decide you do not want to be involved in research, it will not affect your relationship with the University of Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking to learn more about the CNG's blood and tissue collection? If you don't find what you're looking for in the link below, please contact Deborah Morrison (info above)
