You are being invited to participate in The Ochsner Biobank. The Biobank is a place where tumors and tissues are stored so doctors and scientists can study them. They study these things to see if they can find a better way to treat sickness and disease.
When a patient has surgery or a procedure to remove a tumor or other tissue, it is looked at by a doctor. When the doctor is done, sometimes there is tissue leftover. The Biobank stores these in special freezers, so that the scientists can study them.
We are asking you to think about donating any extra tissue from your surgery. If you and your parents decide that you want to participate, here are the things you would do:
- Give us permission to collect any extra tissue after your surgery.
- Allow us to draw some blood from one of your veins. It may be a little uncomfortable, but we will try our best to make it a good experience for you.
- Answer some simple questions. These are questions like: have you ever been sick before, do you take any medicines, what kinds of food do you like to eat?
If you give permission, you will not see the tumor. The doctors and Biobank team will take care of everything.
When you come back to see your doctor, we may ask you and your parents to answer more questions about how you are doing.
If you don’t understand something, just ask. You can ask your doctor, your parents, or the Biobank staff. There are no bad questions. So please ask!You can call us or email us if you think of a question later. We want you to have all of your questions answered.
No. You get to decide. You do not have to participate. It is ok if you decide that you don’t want to do this. Your doctor will not be mad. The Biobank staff will not be mad. No one will be upset. No matter what you decide, your doctor will still take good care of you.
You can change your mind at any time. If you decide that you do not want to participate anymore, you and your parents need to let your doctor or the Biobank staff know.
Scientists are trying to learn more about what causes tumors. They also want to try to find new ways to treat it. The Biobank collects tumors and samples from lots of patients all in one place. This makes it possible for scientists to have cells to study.
It is expected that hundreds or even thousands of people from Ochsner hospitals will take part in the Biobank. There will be children and adults participating.
You will be participating in the Biobank until you decide that you do not want to participate anymore. Your tissue will be stored until it gets studied or you tell us that you do not want us to store it anymore.
Research takes a long time. We do not know what the scientists will learn or how it may affect your treatment. The doctors may not learn anything to help treat you, but they may learn things to help treat other children in the future.