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Veterans Encouraged to Participate in Genetic Research

Phlebotomist Tracey Bach helps VAPHS Deputy Director David Cord donate a small amount of blood as part of his participation in the MVP.

Friday, October 19, 2012

The Million Veteran Program (MVP) is a national, voluntary research program that aims to help researchers better understand how genes affect health and illness. MVP intends to gather information that will lead to improved health care for Veterans. Ideally, MVP plans to enroll one million Veterans within the next few years.

After an initial screening, Veterans donate a small blood sample for research. All donations are strictly confidential, and all Veterans treated at VAPHS are eligible to participate.

Deputy Director and Air Force Veteran David Cord recently gave blood as a participant in MVP.

"I think this is a good program, and I wanted the opportunity to be a part of it," Cord said. "As medicine moves into the future with genetic research, this will help the Veterans Health Administration stay ahead of the technology and develop higher levels of specialized care for Veterans' needs."

VAPHS encourages Veterans to take an active part in MVP. Volunteering can provide invaluable information in illness treatment and prevention for generations to come.

"It's a great undertaking by the VA and everyone is working hard to make it happen," said Cord. "I think Pittsburgh is off to a great start with its program."

Currently, VA Pittsburgh has 1,321 participants in the program. For more information about participating or scheduling an appointment, Veterans may call the MVP Information Center toll-free at 1-866-441-6075 or visit www.research.va.gov/MVP.

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