26 November 2013

GoSHARE with Dundee FC

Photo opportunity: 1pm, Tuesday November 26th
Dundee FC, Dens Park
Players will be signing up to GoSHARE

Dundee FC players are signing up to support world-leading research taking place in the city into diseases such as cancer, diabetes and asthma and calling on fans attending this weekend's Scottish Cup match against Raith Rovers to do the same.

The GoSHARE project launched by the University of Dundee, in partnership with NHS Tayside, is pioneering an easy way for people to help the fight against disease. It only takes one minute to sign up to GoSHARE but the benefits may be felt for generations to come, say researchers.

'Every day people are giving blood samples for testing at their doctor or in hospital but from each sample there is some blood left over,' said Colin Palmer, Professor of Pharmacogenomics at the University of Dundee. 'What we are asking people in Tayside is that they give us permission to use this blood for research. Over the past 15 years around 10% of the Tayside population (40,000 people) have signed up to genetic studies and this has resulted directly in major discoveries of genetic variants for eczema, asthma, diabetes and heart disease amongst others.

'I am absolutely delighted that Dundee FC are supporting our efforts and I hope as many fans as possible will a minute on Saturday to sign up to GoSHARE.'

The GoSHARE team will be around Dens Park on Saturday urging people to give their support and sign up to the project.

Anyone can sign up today - visit www.goshare.org.uk and make a difference to your health and your family's future health. FREEPOST brochures are also available throughout Tayside including at GP surgeries and pharmacies.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902