South Florida: Jewish genetic disease free screening, Feb. 21

The South Florida Jewish Genetic Diseases Education Fair, with free carrier screening is set for Sunday, February 21.

It will run from 10am-2pm, at Temple Beth El, in Boca Raton.

The screening test is free for the first 100 participants who must pre-register. The test is normally $1,500.

It requires a simple blood test administered by West Boca Medical Center’s professional staff. Pre-registration is required for the 100 free limited spaces.

Click here to start the registration process. No cancellations within 48 hours or a $50 fee will be charged. For test questions, call Debbie Wasserman, (786) 897-9587.

Students, engaged couples, and newlyweds of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, ages 18-44, are invited for an educational program on children's genetic conditions sponsored by the Victor Center for Jewish Genetic Diseases and the Mathew Forbes Romer Foundation.

In the Ashkenazi Jewish population (those of Eastern European descent), one in five individuals has been found to be a carrier of one of the several genetic conditions including Tay-Sachs, Bloom Syndrome, Canavan, Cystic Fibrosis, Familial Dysautonomia, Fanconi Anemia, Gaucher, Mucolipidosis IV and Neimann-Pick.

Carriers are healthy individuals but are at risk of having children with these diseases and passing the risk on to future generations.

For more information, click the Romer Foundation link above.

The event is sponsored by the Mathew Forbes Romer Foundation and the Victor Center for Jewish Genetic Diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Additional sponsors include Judy Levis Markhoff, Adolph & Rose Levis Foundation, West Boca Medical Center, Palm Beach Board of Rabbis, and Temple Beth El of Boca Raton.