Purpose: Collecting biologic and questionnaire data allows analyses that can include both genetic/biomarker and behavioral factors. Therefore the feasibility of collecting biological specimens from a nationally dispersed cohort (Adventist Health Study-2) was tested. Methods: We selected 2,130 subjects from California, Washington, Texas and Louisiana to simulate a widely scattered cohort. Clinics were held at local church halls. Non-clinic attendees were invited to mail in their blood samples. The remaining non-participants were offered a home visit by a venipuncturist Results: Sixty-four percent of non-black and 38.4% of black invitees attended the clinics. Another 11.3% of non-black and 5.9% of black subjects from a sub-sample mailed in their blood samples. A venipuncturist visited to collected samples from another 5.3% of non-black subjects but hurricanes disrupted this method among blacks. This experience suggests that we could collect biological samples from 81.2% and at least 44.3% of the non-black and black subjects respectively. Conclusions: We have demonstrated the feasibility of collecting biological specimens from black as well as non-black subjects, with an efficient, cost-effective system and limited manpower, overcoming many of the complexities imposed by scattered subjects, diversity of culture, as well as cumbersome and varied state legislation governing clinics and clinic personnel.