Have You Heard of the Wellderly Study?

My father-in-law is a pretty amazing guy.

He celebrated his 95th birthday recently and I’m pleased to say that he’s in pretty good health – and always has been.

Imagine...a nonagenarian who has never been in the hospital.

Dad was a mail carrier for four decades and worked until he was 70. The most serious problem he’s ever had is a couple of bouts with kidney stones. He also had cataract surgery and is testing out new hearing aids, but that’s it. He reads nearly a book a day and has put together more than a dozen 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles within the last few months. He regularly joins four other men – including two retired priests – in a meeting room at his senior complex for debate sessions about everything from religious philosophy to politics.

Dad has outlived two wives and several girlfriends and enjoys a bowl of ice cream almost every night before he goes to bed.

I’d like to bottle his DNA – and so would researchers at Scripps Genomic Medicine in San Diego.
They are testing the DNA of disease-free people who are 80 years and older, hoping to discover the genetic secrets to a long and healthy life. Cleverly called the Wellderly Study, it hopes to find at least 1,000 volunteers of all ethnic backgrounds to join. (The study has slightly more than 700 participants at this writing).

Researchers don’t ask much of participants – an interview and a blood sample if the volunteer lives in the San Diego area. For out-of-towners: a saliva sample (in a pre-paid mailer) and a phone interview. There are no costs involved to volunteers, and no one except the researchers will have access to the information provided.

Participants won’t be able to see their individual results because of privacy issues and the cost and time involved, but when researchers come up with general findings, all volunteers will be updated and receive information about the published results.

To see frequently asked questions about the Wellderly Study, visit http://www.scripps.org/services__genomics__wellderly-study__faqs#How_do_I

Maybe you know someone like my father-in-law who has completed at least eight decades and has managed by good luck or good health habits to stay well. If he or she is interested in donating a little DNA to a good cause, have them call 800-727-4777 or email wellderly@scrippshealth.org. Also can visit http://www.scripps.org/services__genomics__wellderly-study__participant-criteria to see the criteria for participation.