Breast Tissue Collection Event Brings Together All-Star Committee

The Komen Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is partnering with the WNBA All-Star Committee for a historic breast tissue collection event from July 12-13 to advance breast cancer research. The event aims to collect healthy breast tissue from black and brown women over 18 and women under 40 of any race or ethnicity.

These demographics are crucial for research as they often experience the worst outcomes from breast cancer. “Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer,” said Dr. Kathi Ridley-Merriweather.

Portia Bailey Bernard, a board member of the WNBA All-Star Host Committee, emphasized the personal impact of breast cancer, stating, “I know a few women who have been diagnosed and affected, so I jumped at the opportunity to support a meaningful cause.”

The Komen Tissue Bank is the world’s only repository for healthy breast tissue, providing researchers with normal tissue samples to better understand how breast cancer develops. By studying these samples, scientists can identify what normal breast tissue looks like, which is essential for understanding the onset of cancer. Tissue samples from diverse populations improves research outcomes.

The tissue collection event will take place at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center in downtown Indianapolis.