By the time the BC Generations Project’s Vancouver assessment clinic closes on February 11, almost 5,000 Metro Vancouver residents will have joined the province’s largest-ever health research project. This closure will mark the end of the first phase of recruitment, which saw all participants spend 90 minutes at our clinic to provide health information, have body measurements taken, and donate blood and urine samples.

We’ve been thrilled by the huge response from those who wish to join the Project, which prompted us to keep our clinic open two weeks longer than originally planned. We are gratified by British Columbians’ clear commitment to the health of future generations.

As part of the research process, all the centres involved in this national cancer project continually refine their methods for more cost-effectively and efficiently increasing participation within current funding. As a result, we’ve developed a simplified process for all British Columbians to join the Project, no matter where they live. Our goal remains to attract 40,000 people from across BC by 2012.

Starting late February, British Columbians will join the BC Generations Project without an assessment visit. Instead, they’ll complete a questionnaire by mail or online, and visit a local laboratory to provide blood and urine samples. For now, we’re suspending the collection of data such as blood pressure, lung function and grip strength as part of our intake procedure. This information can be collected later during follow up, and won’t affect our ability to use the information and specimens for research.

The changes we’re making to the BC Generations Project will also be made at our four partner centres, all part of the national Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow. This ensures we can conduct large scale health studies that use a consistent set of data.

As always, we hope you’ll consider joining the BC Generations Project, and that you’ll encourage your friends to sign up too.