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Viking Genes is a genetic and health study of 10,000 Scottish Islanders. We’ve shown that the islands have their own distinct gene pools and that some genetic variants, linked to certain cancers and heart disease, are much more common than elsewhere in the UK, sometimes over 100 X higher for particular island populations. With this knowledge it has been possible to get individuals who have a higher risk of developing these life-threatening conditions, onto early NHS screening and treatment pathways, averting cancers and saving lives. Viking Genes continues to work to improve the medical care available to islanders and their diaspora, who inherit the same genetic high risks. Targeted population screening to find those at higher risk much sooner is a proven cost-effective way of reducing cancer and disease burden in our society. It is currently in place, for example, for all Jewish populations in England and Wales, and we are advocating that islanders should have similar provision. With your support, Viking Genes will continue to work to uncover more disease-causing genetic variants in these populations, to help deliver equitable genomic medicine to the Scottish Isles and their diasporas and improve health and well-being for these island communities.