The Komen Tissue Bank is the world's only biobank that collects healthy breast tissue for breast cancer research. An integral part of the cancer center’s Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research, the KTB has proven that the key to understanding how and why breast cancer develops lies in studying healthy or normal breast tissue. Samples held here at IU have already contributed to more than 144 research projects worldwide, resulting in 63 breast cancer research publications revealing never-before findings.

Generous philanthropy has powered the development of normal tissue research: Medical specialists volunteer their time for collections; women donate their tissue and life histories; countless volunteers provide staffing at collection events; and individual financial contributions and foundation grants have supported KTB operations and pilot research studies.

With philanthropic gifts dedicated to the operational costs of running this world-class repository, the KTB is able to strengthen its position as a national and international resource for breast cancer research. Your support ensures it can continue to collect high-quality samples, increase the diversity of samples by connecting with donor communities of color, and provide research resources for scientists to discover why some women develop breast cancer and others do not.

Please note, the name and purpose of the fund displayed on this page constitute the authorized description of the fund by the Indiana University Foundation, Inc. Your gift supports the fund as described herein.

Gifts will be administered by the Indiana University Foundation, Inc. which represents Indiana University, including the IU School of Medicine. This is not a gift to Indiana University Health, and the Indiana University Health Foundation will not play a role in administering these accounts.