The Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center labs, where scientists are conducting the Million Veteran Program. (Photo by Derrick Morin)

Million Veteran Program returns to Legion convention

VA’s Million Veteran Program – an initiative to build the world’s largest database of genetic, exposure, lifestyle and health information with the help of veterans who donate DNA samples – will again be part of The American Legion’s national convention.

An April 2017 article previewed the program before its presence at last year’s convention in Reno, Nev. According to MVP program manager Jennifer Deen, the current number of enrollees is over 688,000. The initiative is actively reaching out to female and minority veterans, to expand the base of information that can be drawn from.

MVP will be in the exhibit hall in Minneapolis as well, and has set a goal to welcome 100 new participants into the study during each day of the convention, in honor of the Legion’s 100th anniversary. Any veteran registered for VA health care is eligible to participate. Another goal is to get new participants from every state and territory.

The exhibit hall will be open from Friday, Aug. 24, through Tuesday, Aug. 28, in Hall C, Level 1 of the Minneapolis Convention Center. MVP will be in booths 137-141, next to the massive American Legion Emblem Sales area.