Women, men can donate tissue
April 3, 2025
Komen Tissue Bank at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center hosting breast tissue collection April 26
INDIANAPOLIS — Would you like to help contribute to finding new discoveries in breast cancer research?
You can help by donating a healthy breast tissue sample to the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank, which is housed at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. The bank is collecting breast tissue from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26 at the cancer center, 1030 W. Michigan St. Although the donation process takes only 60 to 90 minutes, your contribution could help cancer researchers make lasting discoveries. People who are Black, Hispanic, or Asian are especially encouraged to donate.
To date, more than 5,000 women and men have contributed breast tissue samples to the bank.
By analyzing samples from people without breast cancer, researchers will be able to determine the differences between healthy and cancerous tissues, which will lead to a better understanding of the disease.
What to expect during the donation process
Physicians, staff, and volunteers from the Komen Tissue Bank, and local organizations will collect the tissue samples for this breast cancer clinical trial.
During the donation process, a tissue sample is taken from one breast with a needle and local anesthesia. The amount of tissue taken is about one gram (or the size of three peas). To donate, participants must:
- Be 18 or older.
- Have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign an informed consent.
- Be willing to give 60-90 minutes of their time to complete a questionnaire and a breast biopsy.
- Not be allergic to local anesthetics (numbing medicine).
- Not be receiving a therapeutic blood thinner (this does not include aspirin).
- Not have breast implants.
To register, visit www.komentissuebank.iu.edu or call the Komen Tissue Bank 866-763-0047. Donors must have a confirmed appointment time.
Prior to the donation, participants will complete an informed consent document and an online questionnaire, height and weight measurements will be taken, and a blood sample will be taken.
About the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only normal breast tissue biorepository of its kind in the world and is uniquely positioned to characterize the molecular and genetic basis of normal breast development and compare it to the different types of breast cancer. The bank was established expressly for the acquisition of normal tissues from volunteer donors with no clinical evidence of breast disease and/or malignancy, providing a resource to investigators around the globe. It is a resource of the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Media Contact:
Candace Gwaltney
P: (317) 278-4322
E: cmgwaltn@iu.edu
