A child’s donation of tissue creates hope for future children and families.
The Gift from a Child program partners with the Children’s Brain Tumor Network to ensure that every child’s donation has the greatest potential to accelerate scientific discovery across the research community. This will lead to better treatments and cures for children diagnosed with brain cancer.
The Donation Process
The donation process begins by contacting Gift from a Child. A family can reach out directly or have the child’s medical team reach out on their behalf.
Calling 1-844-456-GIFT or submitting your contact information will place a family or medical team in contact with a GFAC tissue navigator.
Working with a Tissue Navigator
The tissue navigator will answer the family’s questions about donating and will coordinate all aspects of the donation should the family choose to donate their child’s tissue. Tissue navigators respond to inquiries within 24 hours.
Tissue navigators are trained to companion families and work closely with the child’s medical team throughout the donation process. For the family, once a decision has been made to donate, written consent for the child to become a tissue donor is required. Whether the child passes at home, in a hospice center or hospital, the tissue navigator will coordinate all aspects of the donation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of questions families often have about the donation process. If you have additional questions or would like further explanation, please call 1-844-456-GIFT.
The precious gift of your child’s autopsy tissue will empower research so breakthroughs can be made and cures can be found for this devastating disease. In addition, donating can be an important first step in a family’s grief journey.
Written consent must be given prior to the child’s death and the greater amount of time the tissue navigator and medical team have to prepare, the higher the likelihood of a successful donation. Where you are located in the country can affect the amount of time needed prior to donation. Please discuss with a Tissue Navigator. 844-456-GIFT
Absolutely. After the consent form is signed, you can still change your mind at any time.
There is no additional cost to you or your family. Your donation is a gift that makes research possible. You will still have the funeral expenses you would otherwise have had without a donation.
Yes. An open casket is almost always possible and the child should look no different after the post-mortem donation has been performed. We recommend that you talk to the tissue navigator and your oncologist to confirm that this will be true for your child.
Yes. If your child dies at home, your child will be transported to the donation site. In many cases, the donation is conducted at the funeral home.
You can stay with your child for as long as you wish after his or her passing. While many researchers prefer tissue donated within 24 hours, they also understand that your family’s needs come first.
It takes only a few hours. Even for families who wish to hold the funeral as soon as possible, timing is generally not an issue.
A portion of the tissue will be sent to the Children’s Brain Tumor Network and the regional Center of Excellence that assisted with the donation. In addition, if you are interested in choosing to send your child’s tissue to a specific researcher(s), the tissue navigator will assist you. Please note, it is usually possible to send tissue to multiple locations.
Yes. You can request to be contacted by one of our family companions on our Family Companion page. These volunteers are all family members who have made the decision to donate their child’s post-mortem tissue and are available to answer your personal questions.