LEGACY FAQs

Biobanks are secure places where researchers store biological samples, including tissue samples, along with the related health information that individuals provide. These samples are used to study different diseases to identify new treatments and improve medical care for everyone.

Your participation in the Framingham Heart Study has helped us understand how various diseases affect human health.o Uniquely, participants engaged in research in the Framingham Heart Study have contributed decades worth of information on their lifestyle, disease risk factors, and heart and lung health that, when paired with heart and lung tissue itself, will lead to many new discoveries to improve the lives of people everywhere.

This is a unique study that has never been done with a cohort like FHS anywhere in the world. Your participation will be part of a new FHS resource that can fuel new scientific discoveries and even new therapies for other people with similar health conditions and risk factors that you have.

Yes! You can be both an organ donor and a LEGACY donor for approved organs as long as the organs you designate for LEGACY do not overlap with organs that can be donated. For example, you may choose to be an organ donor for your kidneys and a LEGACY donor for your heart.

Importantly, while heart transplants are rarely accepted from donors with heart disease or from donors over 55 years of age, these hearts would be eligible and welcome for the LEGACY program!

You assign a next-of-kin to be your partner in fulfilling your participation in the LEGACY organ donation program.

We will work with you to ensure they understand the program and are advocates for your participation.

Near or at the time of your death, your next-of-kin will contact our 24/7 Biobank hotline to notify us.

We will activate our procurement team immediately and will go to the funeral or memorial home and take care of the rest.

We will take the utmost care to minimize the burden on your assigned next-of-kin during this very difficult time. They only need to call us once, and we will take everything from there.

No other person will be contacted regarding your donation. No matter the final ceremony or memorial plans that you decide, your decision to donate an organ will remain private to you and your next-of-kin.

If your next-of-kin opts in, we will provide a written report with any findings from the dissection of your heart, along with the opportunity to discuss any findings with a clinical cardiologist.

Absolutely. At any point after you provide consent, you are may withdraw from participation in the program.

We will check-in with you annually to verify your willingness to continue to be enrolled in the program and if so, to obtain any updated contact information and reaffirm your next-of-kin assignment and their contact information.

You do not have to wait for these annual calls to tell us you have changed your decision on participation. We are just a phone call away.