Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center

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Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center The world’s only repository of non-cancerous breast tissue. Join our mission—no diagnosis required. 🔬 The donors to this repository are volunteers.

Based in Indianapolis, we provide the samples researchers need to understand "normal" and cure breast cancer. The KTB is a repository bank of whole blood, DNA, plasma, serum and frozen human breast tissue. What sets the KTB apart from all other tissue and blood repositories is that the vast majority of our donors are without evidence of breast cancer. Each sample is annotated with detailed medical information about the donor. Even though donors will not benefit directly from their donation, they are providing an invaluable resource to enable research to maximize its potential today and in generations to come.

Hey October birthdays! It’s your turn to help us help others by completing your medical follow-up! Contact Alison at ali...
10/20/2026

Hey October birthdays! It’s your turn to help us help others by completing your medical follow-up! Contact Alison at [email protected] or (317)274-2366 if you need assistance.

What does the path to becoming an oncologist look like? For Chiemeziem Ekere, part of that journey starts here. Chiemezi...
10/19/2026

What does the path to becoming an oncologist look like? For Chiemeziem Ekere, part of that journey starts here.

Chiemeziem is a sophomore majoring in Biology and minoring in Art History, and this year she’s joining the Komen Tissue Bank as a Life Health Sciences Intern.

She has a clear vision for what she hopes comes next:

“After graduation I plan to attend medical school to become an Oncologist!”

During her internship, Chiemeziem will work on a mammogram project and have the opportunity to experience breast cancer research firsthand.

We love getting to play a small part in the journeys of students like Chiemeziem, especially when their goals may one day bring them right back to the fight against breast cancer.

Welcome to the KTB, Chiemeziem!

Where are they now? We’re catching up with former Komen Tissue Bank intern Nyah!Nyah recently started an exciting new ch...
10/16/2026

Where are they now? We’re catching up with former Komen Tissue Bank intern Nyah!

Nyah recently started an exciting new chapter in Washington, DC, as a Project Management Career Advancement Specialist at the American Society of Hematology. And her commitment to making a difference doesn’t stop when the workday ends. She also volunteers each week at a local food bank.

When Nyah looks back on her KTB internship, one memory stands out: helping with our first male tissue collection event.

“My favorite memory was helping out at their first male tissue collection event! It was great to meet donors and work towards something so important!”

Experiences like these are one of the reasons we love staying connected with our former interns. An internship can be one chapter in someone’s story, but the skills, relationships, and experiences can continue shaping where they go next.

“I am so grateful to KTB for the opportunity to intern and for the skills I’ve been able to take with me through my career!”

We’re grateful Nyah was part of the KTB community and excited to see her continue making an impact. Join us in congratulating her on this new chapter! 🎉

10/14/2026

We talk about taking care of our bodies in so many ways.

We move more. Eat differently. Prioritize sleep. Manage stress. Learn about our hormones. Schedule the appointments we know we shouldn’t put off.

So where does breast health fit in?

We think it belongs in the everyday health conversation, not only when something is wrong.

That’s what we want this community to be. A place where you can learn more about your body, get curious about breast health and discover the role healthy people can play in breast cancer research.

If this reel taught you something you didn’t know before, stick around.

We have a feeling it won’t be the last. 💗

Ever heard about donating healthy breast tissue? It’s a thing! And racial and ethnic minorities represent less than 10 t...
10/13/2026

Ever heard about donating healthy breast tissue? It’s a thing!

And racial and ethnic minorities represent less than 10 to 15% of participants in breast cancer clinical trials.

The Komen Tissue Bank (KTB) is the only organization collecting healthy breast tissue so that racially and ethnically diverse people can directly benefit from the research. But if we don’t participate, we can’t benefit.

Consider donating your healthy breast tissue to the KTB at our upcoming collection event on November 14, 2026, from 8am to 4pm at IU Health Fort Wayne Outpatient Surgery Center in Fort Wayne, IN.

We need you, especially if you are a woman of color or a woman under age 40.

You can register to donate here https://cancer.iu.edu/ktb/donate/register.html or sign up to volunteer here https://cancer.iu.edu/ktb/volunteer/roles-registration.html.

Also, we want to hear from you. Ask us your questions here [email protected].

We packed our bag. Your turn.If you could add one thing to the Komen Tissue Bank’s bag for advancing breast cancer resea...
10/12/2026

We packed our bag. Your turn.

If you could add one thing to the Komen Tissue Bank’s bag for advancing breast cancer research, what would it be?

It could be something serious, something meaningful, something funny or something only the KTB community would understand.

We’ll start: a really, really good snack for tissue donation event days.

What are you adding?

Thank you for walking with us!A few weeks ago, Alison invited you to join the Komen Tissue Bank team for the Komen More ...
10/09/2026

Thank you for walking with us!

A few weeks ago, Alison invited you to join the Komen Tissue Bank team for the Komen More Than Pink Walk. This past Saturday, we were thrilled to see so many of you there!

Thank you to everyone who walked with us, stopped by the Komen Tissue Bank table, and came out to be part of such an incredible day. Seeing so many people come together in support of breast cancer research is always inspiring.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the day so special.

Thank you for being part of the Komen Tissue Bank community and for supporting research that brings us closer to a future without breast cancer.

You’ve lived in your body longer than anyone else. Getting to know what’s normal for you is one more way to care for it....
10/07/2026

You’ve lived in your body longer than anyone else. Getting to know what’s normal for you is one more way to care for it.

When it comes to breast health, “normal” isn’t one specific look or feel. Breasts naturally differ from person to person and change throughout our lives.

That’s why breast self awareness is less about searching for something wrong and more about being familiar with what’s usual for you.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing five changes worth knowing. A change doesn’t automatically mean breast cancer, but noticing something new gives you information you can share with your healthcare provider.

Take a moment to swipe through, and consider sharing this with someone you care about. 💗

It’s October! You know what that means! If your birthday is this month, take a moment to complete your medical follow-up...
10/06/2026

It’s October! You know what that means! If your birthday is this month, take a moment to complete your medical follow-up! Contact Alison at [email protected] or (317)274-2366 if you need assistance.

10/05/2026

For a cookie… KTB Intern, Jayda, agreed to a simple swab with no intention of becoming a stem cell donor. She never expected that one small decision would lead to saving a life.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/bmv4O2Bp4J8

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550 N University Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN
46202

Telephone

+13172742366

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