About The Program
Legacy Tissue Donation
Turning Love Into Hope: Your Pet’s Legacy Can Help Fight Cancer
How It Works
- Early Enrollment: Families who wish to participate speak with our team ahead of their pet’s euthanasia.
- Professional Oversight: A board-certified veterinary anatomic pathologist supervises collection of only the necessary tumor and metastatic tissue.
- Scientific Use: Samples are analyzed for DNA and RNA to understand the tumor’s genomic composition and are grown into living cell models (organoids) to test potential therapies—advancing options for future animal cancer patients.
- Care After Donation: After tissue collection, your pet’s remains will be sent for private cremation at no cost to your family, funded by our lab.
- Cancer Research Hero Memoriam: If you choose, your pet’s name and photo can be included in our Cancer Research Hero Registry, honoring their legacy and contribution to advancing veterinary cancer care.
- Continuing Impact: Findings inform future treatment strategies for dogs and cats, and the families who love them.
Target Patients
Our research focuses on collecting high-quality biospecimens from specific cancers where better treatment options are urgently needed:
- Dogs – Primary lung cancer (pulmonary carcinoma).
- Cats – Liver, pancreatic, intestinal, and gallbladder carcinomas, with or without metastasis.
Inclusion Criteria: A confirmed or strongly suspected diagnosis of these tumors based on imaging, cytology, or biopsy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this interfere with cremation or burial?
No. Only small samples are collected, and your pet’s body is returned promptly for private cremation through Faithful Companion.
Does participation cost anything?
No. There is no cost to families for tissue donation or research use.
How is this different from a regular autopsy at the vet school?
A standard necropsy carefully examines the whole body to determine the cause of death. Legacy Tissue Donation focuses on collecting high-quality tumor and metastasis samples specifically for research, with other organs left undisturbed.
How quickly must the tissue be collected?
Within 1–2 hours after death to preserve sample quality. Early enrollment helps us coordinate with your primary care team.
Will our pet experience pain?
No. Collection occurs only after humane euthanasia is complete.
Can we change our mind?
Yes. Enrollment is voluntary, and your family may withdraw at any time before collection.
Which cancers are most helpful?
Lung cancers in dogs and abdominal carcinomas (liver, pancreas, gallbladder, intestines) in cats are a primary focus, though related cancers may also be valuable.
How will our pet’s samples be used?
For genomic (DNA/RNA) analysis and to develop cell models (organoids) to evaluate potential chemotherapies. Findings will be shared with the broader scientific and veterinary community to advance cancer care for future patients.
Will our pet’s name or information be shared?
With permission, your pet can be honored in our Cancer Research Hero Registry; otherwise, data are used anonymously.
What oversight ensures ethical research practices?
All procedures adhere to institutional ethical approvals and veterinary oversight (IACUC review). Identifiable information is limited to authorized research personnel.
How is our personal information protected?
Family details are stored securely and used only for consent tracking or optional registry listings. Identifiable information is never shared without explicit permission.
Contact
If you have questions or are ready to enroll your pet, please email us at
cvmclinicalstudies@ncsu.edu.