Tissue and body donation play a crucial role in advancing medical research and improving health care outcomes. Tissue donation typically occurs during surgery, where patients may donate excess tissue, such as tumors, for research purposes. The donations are voluntary and require a patient’s informed consent. These donated tissues provide essential resources for creating cell models, which scientists use to study diseases, develop new treatments, and test medications. Such contributions are especially valuable in advancing research on neuroendocrine cancers, offering insights that may lead to life-saving breakthroughs.
On the other hand, body donation generally occurs at the time of death and involves donating one’s entire body to medical research and education. This type of donation allows medical students and researchers to gain a deeper understanding of human anatomy and disease, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes. The Institute of Human Anatomy offers information on donor programs by state.
We encourage patients and their families to consider the profound impact of both tissue and body donation. Discussing these options with physicians can provide guidance and support in making informed decisions.
NETRF does not collect tissue or body donations. Patients and their families who are interested in donations should speak with their clinical care team for more information on tissue and body donation.