The Brain and Body Donation Program at Banner Sun Health Research Institute is now offering a free virtual tour. This initiative aims to educate the public on how researchers study the health and diseases of older adult volunteers in the Phoenix area.
Researchers involved in this program examine participants’ functions during their lives and analyze their organs and tissues posthumously. They share collected tissue, biomaterials, research data, or biospecimens with qualified researchers globally.
The 11-minute virtual tour features insights from research participants and medical experts focused on groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Interested individuals can access the tour at bannerhealth.com/BrainandBodyDonationProgram. This option is particularly beneficial for those unable to attend an in-person walking tour due to scheduling conflicts or physical limitations.
The program accepts donors who are cognitively normal as well as those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia with Lewy bodies, REM sleep behavior disorder, and cancer. These illnesses affect millions worldwide, and studying tissue samples from deceased volunteers is crucial for advancing towards potential cures.
Since its inception in 1987, over 3,000 community members have contributed to the program’s scientific endeavors. Donors must reside within the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, participate in annual assessments at the Sun City clinic, and consent to donate their brain and/or body after death.
For those interested in an in-person tour of the facility, appointments can be scheduled by calling (602) 230-CARE (2273) or visiting www.bannerhealth.com/calendar.
Established in 1986 as part of nonprofit Banner Health, Banner Sun Health Research Institute has been a national and international leader in researching aging disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The institute’s Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research conducts clinical trials based on laboratory findings that aim to develop new treatments. Banner Health stands as Arizona’s leading healthcare provider and largest private employer. More information is available at bannershri.com or on Facebook.
