Donating your brain tissue for research

Researchers are making great advances in neuroscience and other diseases where the brain may play a part, but there is still much we don’t understand about the human brain.

Agreeing to donate tissue taken during surgery or biopsy for research enables us to get one step closer to finding a cure.

Why donate brain tumour tissue?

Using real tissue is the best way to make sure testing for new drugs and treatments is accurate and reliable. Tissue banks are in need of donations in order to continue with pioneering new research models, ultimately moving us closer to a cure for brain cancer.

Donating tissue...

Doesn't put you at any extra risk
Doesn't change your treatment course
Doesn't require the removal of any additional tissue
Helps us find better treatments for brain tumours in the future

The team at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have put together this fantastic short video which explains the process of signing up to donate brain tumour tissue, and the many benefits it can bring:

How to arrange your donation...

If you would like tissue taken during your surgery to be used for research, please speak to your consultant or surgery team to give your consent or find out more.

In January 2021, we were proud to launch a brand new brain tumour tissue bank in Leeds in collaboration with OSCAR'S Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds. The Leeds Neuropathology Research Tissue Bank allows brain tumour tissue samples collected during surgery/biopsy to be stored centrally and to be used specifically for brain tumour research. Find out more at braincancer.leeds.ac.uk/neurortb/

For more information about opportunities to donate brain tumour tissue, contact info @yorksbtc.org.uk or call 0113 340 0111. We can put you in touch with the relevant team in your area.