Donating Biospecimens

How can patients help?

Biospecimens are available for medical research when they are donated by patients while they are undergoing surgery, biopsy, or other medical procedures.

How is my privacy protected after donation?

Federal guidelines put a high priority on protecting the privacy of personal and medical information. Click here to find out more.

You can help support research!

Hear from patients and researchers about how donated biospecimens advance medical research by viewing our video or visit our patient education booklet.

Consider donating a biospecimen

As a patient scheduled for a biopsy or surgery, you may be asked before the procedure if you would consider donating a biospecimen for research. Donating your biospecimens is entirely voluntary. There will be no impact on the surgical procedure itself.

Click here to see what the lifecycle of biospecimens looks like.

Share your thoughts

This website provides updates and resources about biorepositories and the use of biospecimens for research. Please contact biospecimens@mail.nih.gov with any comments or questions.

Spread the word

If you know others who will be in a medical position to provide biospecimens, consider telling them what you've learned about the need for donors and directing them to this website.

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Habla Español? Aprenda mas sobre el cancer y cómo contribuir a la investigación médica con su donación de sangre y otros tejidos aquí.

To find out more, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)