Know Your Heritage - Know Your Health

Most of us are surprised to learn that we can help others better understand a health issue just by talking about it. But talking about genetic testing and Gaucher Disease can make a big difference for hundreds of families.

The Importance of Testing
More than 9 out of 10 Jewish Americans are unaware of Gaucher Disease. Jewish people of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) descent have an increased risk of passing down a gene for Gaucher disease to their children. Approximately one in 450 people may have the disorder, and the carrier rate is approximately 1 in 14 (1 in 40,000 - 60,000 people in the general population have Gaucher disease).

Knowing your heritage is one of the most significant things a person can do. Testing may help to prevent serious health issues, unnecessary pain and distress. Gaucher Disease can be detected through a blood test, but it may not be included in all Jewish genetic disease testing panels. People must ask for it, but they can’t ask for it if they do not know about it.

Although Gaucher Disease is the most prevalent of Ashkenazi Jewish diseases, a number of genetic disorders occur more frequently in certain ethnic groups. In the Ashkenazi Jewish population (those of Eastern European descent), approximately 1 in 4 individuals is a carrier of a gene for a condition that could be severe and may result in the early death of a child.

Unfortunately, many people still believe that Tay-Sachs disease is the only Jewish genetic disease of concern and that it has been all but eradicated. The fact is, until we learn how to correct inherited genetic mutations, every generation of Ashkenazi Jews is at risk for passing on a gene for one of several diseases that occur more frequently in this population.

The good news is that individuals can now be tested for all of these diseases with one simple blood test. Knowing your carrier status can help you to prevent tragedies in future generations.

In an effort promote awareness of Gaucher Disease, as well as the others listed here, the “Know Your Heritage” program is designed to get people involved with helping to educate others about these diseases. Jewish Leaders, Organizations and individuals can help by pledging to do something in their community to promote this valuable and worthy cause. Without education and awareness of these diseases and the importance of testing, people will suffer needlessly.

Bloom’s Syndrome . Canavan Disease . Cystic Fibrosis (CF) . Familial Dysautonomia (FD)
Fanconi Anemia Type C . Glycogen Storage Disorder Type 1a (GSD1a)
Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) . Mucolipidosis IV (ML4)
Niemann-Pick Disease Type A . Tay-Sachs Disease

We hope that you will sign a pledge card today to help you and your family and others in your community.
Thank you for your Support!

Click here to pick a project and sign a pledge card.

Click here to see the names organizations and individuals who have already pledged.

All Jewish Leaders, Organization and individuals will have their names posted here, as our membership is updated. As the membership grows, the “Know Your Heritage” numbers will increase and will be reflect at our Homepage.