The Legacy Program for Rapid Tissue Donation

City of Hope patients with certain metastatic cancers may be eligible. Patients with certain infectious diseases may not be able to participate. Our team will be able to answer any questions you may have about eligibility.

No. Your care at City of Hope will not be affected, and your treatment plan will not change if you decide to participate in the Legacy Program. 

After you or your loved one passes away, a skilled team of medical professionals will retrieve tissues from various organs in the body. The procedure takes about three to four hours.

Our team collects both cancer and normal tissue to use in research. The reason we plan to retrieve both cancerous and non-cancerous tissue is to understand why some parts of the body are more likely to develop cancer than others.

We would like to collect all tissues affected by your disease. Analyzing all sites of metastasis provides researchers with the most accurate information possible. However, we understand that some people may be sensitive about collecting certain organs, such as the brain, or visible areas like the face, hands and arms. You may have the ability to decline donation of these sensitive tissues. Please let our team know if you have any objections to the collection of certain tissues.

Some of the tissue will be used immediately for research at City of Hope, and other tissues may be stored for future use.

Because the procedure only lasts a few hours, it should not interfere with funeral or burial arrangements.

Yes. You may still have an open casket funeral if you participate in the program. Incisions made during the procedure will not be visible during a funeral service.

There is no direct cost to participate in the Legacy Program. City of Hope will handle study-related costs, such as transportation to the hospital for the procedure. However, the patient’s family or estate is responsible for any expenses related to hospice care while in the program, as well as any funeral or burial expenses.

Most people are able to participate in medical donation programs without conflict related to their culture, religion or spirituality. However, these decisions are personal and must be based on your values and beliefs. City of Hope has chaplains and spiritual counselors who can provide information and support to patients of various backgrounds. If you have any questions, we encourage you to speak with a counselor before you decide to participate in the program. Our team can help you schedule a time to speak with a counselor.

If you decide to participate in the program, we will collect some medical history and a blood sample during one of your routine clinic visits. If your disease becomes life-threatening, we may ask you to provide additional blood samples.

Depending on where you pass away, the hospice nurse or attending physician will notify the Legacy Program at the time of death. A coordinator will arrange for transportation to City of Hope Duarte, where our staff will perform the procedure. Transportation will take place quickly, within two hours after death. The study coordinator will also contact your chosen funeral home and arrange for transportation after completion of the procedure. The study coordinator will keep your family updated along the way and will let them know when the procedure is finished and when the funeral home has picked up the body. Your family will then communicate directly with the funeral home about funeral services and burial arrangements.

Yes, you may change your mind and leave the program at any time by letting your physician or your Legacy Program coordinator know.

We will respect your family’s wishes if they decide they no longer want you to participate in the program when you pass away. Patients are encouraged to discuss their decision to participate with their families.