BaRay Document #17
2010 GRCA National Specialty
CANINE DNA COLLECTION DRIVE
The Golden
Retriever Foundation needs Canine and Human volunteers at the National
Specialty to help with the DNA collection and paperwork.
The
Golden Retriever Foundation, GRCA, The Broad Institute, and OFA need Canine volunteers
for the National Specialty Canine
DNA Drive. Cheek
Swab and/or blood samples are needed to populate OFA’s DNA database. Blood samples submitted to The Broad
Institute will be used for research in cancer and hereditary diseases.
The
Golden Retriever Foundation has authorized funding to pay for the OFA
submission fee for Golden Retriever samples collected at “mass collection
clinics”. Through this grant from GRF,
there will be no fee to the
owners for submitting blood or cheek swab samples. There is no
charge to donate blood to The Broad Institute.
A booth will be set
up in the main show site, vendor area, on Tuesday, September 28, from noon to 4PM, and on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 29-30 from 9AM to 4PM. In addition,
we will be setting up during some of the Field events to encourage dogs entered
in those events to participate.
Veterinarians,
Technicians, dog holders, paperwork specialists and people to label samples are
all needed for this continuing effort. We
will be teaming up with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and volunteers
from the Broad Institute for this effort.
We will also be collecting samples for Optigen’s PRA testing.
** Special requests
** The Broad Institute would like to
update any dogs that have previously submitted samples. They also need samples from any dog with
cancer and/or hereditary disease. These
samples are of the utmost importance as are those from healthy dogs over 5
years of age without cancer or hereditary disease.
Anyone
able to help or willing to donate blood or cheek swabs from their dog is urged
to contact Mike Lappin at anidoc@intercape.com to
let him know. You may download and print
consent forms, to bring with you, from the Golden Retriever Foundation web site.
Even
if you can donate one hour of your time you will be assisting with this
valuable research tool.
You and your
dog can make a difference.
Prcd-PRA Testing Information
This year, once again, GRF is generously combining its
ongoing DNA blood collection project with the additional service of collecting
blood samples for prcd-PRA testing by Optigen LLC. Optigen is offering a
substantial discount on this test for samples collected at our special clinic.
The cost of the test will be $136.50 per dog, with the
GRCA “super clinic” discount. You get 5% discount for ordering online; and an
additional 25% by submitting your samples as part of the clinic. There will be
no charge for blood drawing and shipping, as that is being underwritten by the
Golden Retriever Foundation. This should save everyone about $70 per dog over
the cost of testing dogs individually.
Samples will be accepted from all breeds that use the
prcd-PRA test. So, tell your friends at your all-breed clubs. Cheek swabs can
also be brought for dogs not attending the Specialty. See further details
below.
WHERE & WHEN: (both DNA collection & prcd-PRA
collection)
Field Trial:
Saturday, Sept. 25 – 10 AM to 1 PM “The
Pumphouse” on Field GroundsSaturday, Sept. 25 - 5 PM to 7 PM Stillroven
Clubhouse at Field Trial Grounds
Show Site (GRF Booth)
- Tues., Sept. 28: noon to 4 PM
- Wed., Sept. 29: 9AM to 4 PM
- Thurs. Sept. 30: 9 AM to 4 PM
NOTE: The GRF booth will be in the Great Hall, with
vendors and grooming area nearby.
No specific appointment time is required, but we will be
asking you to tell us in advance which location you will be attending. This
will help keep the paperwork in order.
Complete information is available from Gerry Clinchy, G.Clinchy@gmail.com <mailto:G.Clinchy@gmail.com> and on the
GRF website www.goldenretrieverfoundation.org
