Brain and Tissue Bank
 

Doctors, Advocates Appeal For Brain And Tissue To Study HSS
 

Donating the brains and tissue of those who have died from rare diseases is a tough subject for families to discuss, but it’s important, said Sally Wisniewski.

She should know. Wisniewski not only is a representative of the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank for Developmental Disorders, she is the sister of a young man who has an unknown rare disease.

Wisniewski said scientists desperately need to study the brains and tissues of people who die from HSS and other rare diseases as a way to develop treatments for the disorders. "What greater gift could a person leave behind?" she asked. Families can register with the bank in advance and know they will "help future generations," Wisniewski said.

Brain and tissue banks around the country were established by the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disorders Branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. These banks collect, store and distribute tissue and brains for study.

Families can pre-register and obtain more information by calling the University of Maryland bank at (800) 847-1539. The Web site is at http://medschool.umaryland.edu/btbank/Family/ .