Help pioneer new treatments for millions of people this DNA Day

DNA Day is coming up this Thursday (25 April) and the team behind the DNA, Children and Young People’s Health Resource (D-CYPHR) are encouraging children and young people to contribute to important health research.

D-CYPHR is a nationwide movement for children aged 0 - 15 to contribute their DNA to support important health research - everything from better understanding mental health to combatting diabetes. Our DNA can help to decipher some of the most pressing health challenges we face!

Most diseases start in childhood however most health research is carried out in adults. D-CYPHR wants to change this by supporting research in children and young people, helping to pioneer new treatments and create better care for children and the adults they will become.

If you are a young person or have a child then you can contribute to this movement! All you need to do to take part is submit a saliva (spit) sample and answer a short health and lifestyle questionnaire.

Visit D-CYPHR’s website to find out more and how you can get involved or come and talk to the team on DNA Day, Thursday 25 April 11-2pm in the Lagoon. There will also be fun activities for children and families to get involved in such as a quiz, bracelet making, and DNA top trumps!

D-CYPHR is led by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource in partnership with the NHS, Anna Freud and the University of Cambridge.

D-CYPHR's Young Ambassador Scarlett on joining the programme and becoming a D-CYPHR ambassador:

"It is important to help the next generation who are more likely than this generation to suffer (for example) from mental health issues as they are on the rise. I want to try and help as many people as possible.  

The future generation are the children that we may have, so it’s important to try and do something about it now, especially doing something so simple like spitting into a tube. Something so basic could be life changing for someone else one day."

"I am very proud to be an ambassador and to be involved in the project right from the start. I have already given my DNA sample and am now looking forward to getting involved in lots of other aspects of the project such as writing blogs, helping promote the project within my school, at my Rangers group and a Rainbow group that I help with.  

Donating your DNA really does mean that you are a hero – you are contributing to research and could potentially save the lives of others."