Basque Biobank

How do I donate?

Who can become a donor?

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the study of neurodegenerative diseases, irrespective of whether they are suffering such a disease.

 

How do I donate?

Donations can be made at two different moments:

• Whilst still alive, the patient (or their legal representative) expresses his/her wish to make a donation after death.
• The patient's family decides to make a donation after their death.

 

What should I do if I want to be a donor?

1. You should contact Biobank staff.

• by phone: +34 944 536 890
• by email: biobancovasco@bioef.org

2. You will be informed about the brain donation program and will be sent a letter containing the following:

• An informed consent form, which you must sign
• An addressed and pre-paid envelope which you should use to return the signed informed consent form to the Biobank
• Instructions to be followed upon your death

3. Patients are recommended to inform their families of their wish to participate in the brain donation program

 

Are there any costs for the patient or their family?

Donation is free and therefore has no economic impact on the patient. The Basque Biobank will cover all costs related to transport of the body from the place of death to the hospital, extraction of the neurological tissue and its subsequent processing. Other death-related costs will remain the responsibility of the family.

 

What benefit will the family receive?

The family will receive a report containing the definitive neuropathological diagnosis of the patient's disease and the processes undertaken with the neurological tissue.