Harvard Brain Bank
Dr. Jill is the National Spokesperson for the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center (Harvard Brain Bank). For many years, she traveled the country as the Singin' Scientist educating audiences about the beauty of the brain and the value of brain donation for research into the severe mental illnesses. (Yes, she sings for brains!) Brain donation is the gift of hope.
The Harvard Brain Bank is federally funded to acquire and distribute specific types of tissue for qualified investigators to do their research. There remains a long-term shortage of tissue donated by individuals with a psychiatric illness, their immediate family members (siblings, parents, children), as well as individuals who would be diagnosed as normal controls. These are individuals who do not have either a neurological or a psychiatric diagnosis, or have an immediate family member with a psychiatric diagnosis.
Unfortunately, stroke survivors (including myself) and anyone else with a history of brain cancer does NOT qualify for brain donation to the Harvard Brain Bank. If you are interested in some type of donation, please consider a full body donation to your local or state medical university.
If you are interested in participating in studies while you are still alive, please investigate possibilities at the NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke). From knowledge will come a cure.
Click here to listen to the Brain Bank Jingle!
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness
Dr. Jill currently serves as the president of her local NAMI affiliate, NAMI Greater Bloomington Area.