It is an honor to me to contribute to selected medical studies. I select from requests and I’m participating in one right now at my local hospital which provides up to monthly feedback on covid antibody status. That’s useful for me to know. It was surprising how much my antibody level increased after my sixth covid vaccine. Though now it has declined again. Yes indeed I will get the new covid vaccine when it becomes available!

While at Mayo Rochester I gave permission to do medical research on blood they took when I was there. Perhaps this is why they asked to do a genetic study with Helix lab from my saliva. From that study I learned useful personal information.

Harvard’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute is doing a study named PCROWD. They were interested in testing my blood due MGUS diagnosis. Every six months they send a collection kit which I take along when visiting my hematologist. Since my blood will be tested anyway, it is easy to draw four more vials then insert them in an insulated bag which I had frozen the night before. After collection my Doc’s secretary completed sealing the package and called FEDEX for pickup. There is no feedback for me from this study, just the satisfaction of knowing I can contribute to helping scientists discover how to help others.

I draw the line about becoming a lab animal to test new medicines. Nope. Possibly too much to loose. When Quest sent an email requesting that I come in and participate in a medicine trial I simply deleted it. No “can of worms” at all. Done.

I hope this reply will be helpful in your future decision making when invited to participate in medical studies. Wishing all the best!