The aim of the FIN Donor –study is to get new information about how blood donations effects to the iron storages, in order to promote blood donors’ health. The purpose is also to produce valuable knowledge by which Blood Service together with its collaboration partners can develop health care.
Blood samples are collected from the participants during the blood donation and after the donation the participants fill in an enquiry about their health and lifestyle. Possible iron deficiency and genetic difference that affects the recovery from blood donation are investigated. The aim is to collect information from 10 000 blood donors including follow up sampling from each blood donation until the end of the project.
Who finances the study?
Finnish Red Cross Blood Service is the main financier. The study is partially funded by Tekes and is part of SalWe GET IT DONE program that focuses on personalised diagnostics and care and on utilization of increasing genomic information and biobanking activities.
What information is collected?
Information is collected through individual enquiries and through blood samples collected during the blood donation.
In the study different factors related to iron metabolism such as nutrition, exercise and smoking are taken in count. In addition to that the genetic difference is defined and other analyses for iron metabolism are made from the blood samples.
The needed blood samples are taken during blood donation. Information about previous blood donations and measured hemoglobin are collected from the blood donor register.
The participant personal data is stored and handled according to the healthcare regulations for data protection and confidentiality. There are no identification information in the study data base. All information is coded to assure the participant identity cannot be deduced.
Does participants get their laboratory results?
The progress of the study will be informed through Finnish Red Cross Blood Service own media. The participant does not get his personal laboratory results. However, a doctor from Blood Service will contact the participant if critical result are found in the laboratory tests and there’s a need for instant contact with health care. In case of minor abnormality participants will not be informed.
The participant will neither be informed of the results for the genetic tests because the determination is intended for scientific research, not for health care.
What are the collected samples used for?
There is a statement from ethics committee for every research project in Blood Service. This statement defines the samples that are collected and what they will be used for.
An informed consent is collected from participant prior sampling. The use of samples and data are defined in the consent.
In Finland many laws protect the rights of the person giving samples to research. There are for example Biobank Act, Medical Research Act, Act on the Status and Rights of Patients, the act about medical research and Personal Data Act.
Why is the Fin Donor 10 000 study made?
Through the Fin Donor 10 000 study we will get valuable information about how blood donations, nutrition and other health factors influences the donors iron stores. With the study we aim to promote blood donor health. In the future we could for example find ways to predict an individual blood donation interval for every blood donor.
By research about blood and blood donations we also aim to get new information so that blood products safety and effectiveness can be developed – at the end the benefits will also return to the patient.
Contact persons at Blood Service:
Nina Nikiforow (nina.nikiforow@veripalvelu.fi)
Pirkko Mattila (pirkko.mattila@veripalvelu.fi)
Research Group in Blood Service:
Nina Nikiforow
Birgitta Rantala
Vera Raivola
Pirkko Mattila
Paula Salmelainen
Johanna Castren
Pia Niittymaki
Antti Larjo
Jukka Partanen
Staff in Kivihaka Blood Donation office
Staff in Sanomatalo Blood Donation office
Staff in Espoo Blood Donation office
Staff in Kivihaka taking care of the sample logistics
Collaborators:
Mia Sneck (Huslab)
Outi Itkonen (Huslab)
Anu-Leena Hytönen (Huslab)
Marja-Leena Järvi-Holopainen (Huslab)
FIMM Technology Centre (UH)
Samuli Ripatti research group (FIMM, UH)
