Give Back to Research

BioBank

The BioBank at The University of Kansas Cancer Center supports cancer research by serving as a bank for human tissues and fluids, called biospecimens. Biospecimens are small amounts of blood, urine or tissue used for medical research. Researchers use biospecimens and medical information from participants to study how genes, lifestyle and our environment may lead to cancer. The BioBank serves as a valuable resource for researchers at The University of Kansas Cancer Center and potentially around the world.

The next BioBank blood drive is October 13, 2023. Register to reserve your spot.

Juntos BioBank

The BioBank at The University of Kansas Cancer Center supports cancer research by serving as a bank for human tissues and fluids called biospecimens.

Frequently asked questions

Anyone can donate blood, urine or tissue samples and provide information about their cancer risk factors, whether you have had cancer or not. Any person willing to participate may donate a blood sample. For example, you have the option to donate blood at your regularly scheduled mammogram – it only takes a few minutes.

Patients who are undergoing medical procedures at The University of Kansas Health System may consent to donate tissue that has been removed and is not required for diagnostic purposes. This tissue would otherwise be destroyed. Your well-being is our primary concern and your consent to donate tissue will not affect your medical care in any way.
You can make a significant contribution to cancer research. Your donation helps meet a great need for cancer researchers at The University of Kansas Cancer Center and globally. It helps accelerate research that can lead to new treatments and eventually cures for cancer and other diseases. It is our goal to supply researchers with enough human samples necessary for all current and future research studies aimed at curing cancer.
Information is used by researchers at The University of Kansas Cancer Center and elsewhere who are interested in studying the causes, prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. They will request permission to use the samples and information stored by the BioBank.
No. The information you provide will never be associated with your name. All personal information will be kept strictly confidential.

Every patient who participates is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA.

Information that would directly identify you, such as name or address, will not be stored with your samples. To maintain confidentiality, the study personnel will use a unique code, rather than your name, as an identifier on study records and biospecimens.
There are several ways to participate in the BioBank. Patients who are undergoing medical procedures may consent to donate tissue that has been removed and is not required for diagnostic purposes. We have coordinators at several of our hospital locations, as well as partnering clinics. Mention you would like to participate at your next appointment or mammogram. You will be asked to complete a consent form and questionnaire about your family medical history and personal history of cancer.
No. Results of studies are strictly for research purposes.
Call 855-211-1475 and a member of the BioBank staff will answer your questions.

Early detection screening project

Healthy women receiving a mammogram can contribute to a research study with a simple blood draw. Speak to a care provider at your annual mammogram.

BioBank leadership

Andrew Godwin, PhD

Andrew Godwin, PhD, deputy director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, leads the BioBank. In his role, Dr. Godwin:

Works with cancer center and the University of Kansas Medical Center leadership to obtain the necessary resources to support the further development of this facility
Manages BioBank personnel with the focus on informed consent, tissue/bodily fluid acquisition and sample annotation
Establishes policies regarding standard operating procedures
Presides over the Internal Review Board for the BioBank

Rashna Madan, MBBS

Rashna Madan, MBBS, assistant director of the Biobank, oversees tissue collection from surgical pathology and core histology activities to:

Increase the collection of quality tumor tissue samples
Oversee the appropriate utilization and selection of tissue from the archived paraffin-embedded tumor samples of the University of Kansas Medical Center Surgical Pathology Department
Provide quality control for all tissue samples via histologic verification

See the full staff listing.

Biospecimen Shared Resource

Learn how The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Biospecimen Shared Resource can support your research.

Learn more