Educational program on Ashkenazi Jewish genetic diseases
The Jewish Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix is presenting Gary Frohlich speaking on “Our Heritage and Our Health – Facts about Genetic Conditions among the Ashkenazim.” The program will be held at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, at 6:30 pm on Sept. 9 and repeated at the East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N Alma School Road in Chandler, at 6:30 pm on Sept. 10.
Gary is a graduate of New York University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1972. He was awarded a scholarship from the National Foundation March of Dimes to attend graduate school in Human Genetics and Genetics Counseling, earning his master’s degree from Rutgers University in 1973. In June 2005 Gary accepted the position of patient care liaison with Genzyme Therapeutics and is currently working with patients and families who are afflicted with the most common Ashkenazi Jewish disorder, Gaucher disease.
Gary has been a genetic counselor for more than 35 years and has seen over 26,000 couples for genetic counseling. He is a published author of both scientific articles and pamphlets on Ashkenazi Jewish diseases.
The program is a biology lesson, a history lesson on the founder effect and a genetic primer.
The purpose is to provide up-to-date information on the genetic conditions that occur more frequently in Jews of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) descent. Each of these disorders can be devastating, not only to those affected, but to the families involved.
The program is provided through the Jewish Genetic Diseases Center of Greater Phoenix, whose mission is to provide awareness, education and knowledge to the Greater Phoenix community regarding Jewish genetic diseases prevalent in those of Ashkenazi descent as well as the risks and options associated with these diseases.
480-668-3347 | info@jewishgeneticsphx.org
Hadassah hosts talk on sex trafficking Sept. 1
Hadassah Valley of the Sun will host a talk with Leah Rogers and Detective Christina Decoulfe in regards to sex trafficking. Rogers was a victim of sex trafficking who turned her life around and is determined to save other women by educating the community.
The talk will be at 6:45 pm Sept. 1, at Temple Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Road, Phoenix.
Rogers has shared her story with CBS News and through social media in a video that has gone viral. Her autobiography called Game Over takes the reader through a riveting journey that will not soon be forgotten.
Decoufle, who was instrumental in helping turn Roger’s life around, is a member of the Vice Enforcement Unit with the Phoenix Police Department. Decoufle is an expert in the area of Domestic Human Traffcking and works with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in identifying and rescuing juveniles who are victims of sex trafficking. She is a member of the FBI’s Human Trafficking Task Force and the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators.
RSVP to Susi Stone at susido@aol.com or 480-659-0680.
