GoSHARE launches in Angus

Published On Wed 7 May 2014 by Roddy Isles

Every day in Tayside around 7000 samples of blood are discarded after use. Now researchers are asking the public in Angus to help boost world-leading research into diseases such as cancer, diabetes and asthma by giving them access to that spare blood.

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

The project is now launching a drive to encourage people in Angus to sign up. Among other activity, the project is being advertised on buses throughout the region with the support of Stagecoach.

Colin Palmer, Professor of Pharmacogenomics at the University of Dundee and lead of the GoSHARE project, said, “What we are asking people in Angus is that they give us permission to use this leftover blood for research.  Over the past 15 years around 10 per cent 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.

“All people need to do is register online or give us written permission. It literally takes a minute and they do not need to do anything else - there is no need for a special sample of blood to be taken and they do not need to make a visit to their doctor. All the samples which we are given access to will be made anonymous using a barcode system.”

The use of `spare’ blood is resourceful and unique, and a world first. This is made possible only by the close collaboration between the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside, as well as the installation of new technologies which allow the quick and effective tracking of blood samples.

People can sign up at www.goshare.org.uk or complete FREEPOST brochures that are widely distributed throughout Scotland including Clinics, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

GoSHARE is an additional component to the wider Scottish Health Research Register (SHARE), permission is being sought to store and carry out research on left-over blood following routine testing in the laboratory.

Research is an essential part of the process of developing new treatments and cures for conditions including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. The aim of SHARE is to make it easier for researchers in Scotland to carry out medical studies. Scots on the register will be invited to participate in research projects, but they only say yes if they have the time and wish to. There is no obligation to take part.

SHARE is a partnership between the NHS in Scotland, the Scottish Government and Universities in Scotland.

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