The Week Will Highlight Powerful Events, Timely Information, and Resources to Help Raise Awareness of the Importance of Genetic Screening 

Atlanta – JScreen, a national non-profit public health initiative dedicated to preventing genetic diseases, today announced plans for the annual Jewish Genetic Screening Awareness Week (JGSAW), taking place February 1 – February 5, 2021. Started last year and with organizational partners across the country, JGSAW will focus on powerful events, timely information and resources to help raise awareness about the importance of screening for genetic diseases. Furthermore, a proclamation that was passed last year by the Georgia State Legislature recognizing Jewish Genetic Screening Awareness Week will be read in the morning orders.

JScreen makes testing for genetic diseases simple—providing an easy-to-use at-home saliva test that gives couples planning for children a deep understanding of their own genetic makeup and risks relating to their children’s health. If a person or couple’s risk is elevated, genetic counselors privately address their results by phone or video teleconference, and provide them with options to help them plan for the health of their future children. 

“Our families’ health is top of mind as we navigate this challenging time.  It is reassuring to know that there is a simple, at-home spit test to help couples plan for the health of their future families,” said Karen Arnovitz Grinzaid, Executive Director of JScreen. “This week will showcase valuable resources and virtual events to help raise awareness, and will hopefully lead more people to #getJScreened.”

“This week is a call to action for genetic screening,” said Mike Wilensky, State Representative of Georgia HD79, who introduced the resolution declaring Jewish Genetic Screening Awareness Week. “We are thrilled to highlight JScreen’s honorable efforts to help people take charge of their own health and that of their children. Knowledge truly is power.”

A generous grant from the Sturm Family Foundation gives people living in Colorado who are between the ages of 18-45 the ability do reproductive genetic testing for only $36, with insurance, by using the code ColoradoScreens at the JScreen.org checkout page.

JGSAW will host various virtual events throughout the week including:

Tuesday February 2:

• Facebook Live on Smashing the Glass.  10:00 am MST
• Yeshiva University Honors Program Lecture, 3:45 pm MST  

Wednesday, February 3

• Jewish Federation of Delaware Lecture, 5:00 pm MST

Thursday, February 4

• Jewish Journal of LA Webinar, 1:00 pm MST   

 “JGSAW will ensure that more people know about the importance of genetic screening and how easy it is to get tested,” added Grinzaid. “We’re committed to helping everyone #getJScreened.”

For more information, please visit www.jscreen.org. 

JScreen is a national non-profit public health initiative dedicated to preventing Jewish genetic diseases. Headquartered in Atlanta at Emory University School of Medicine, the JScreen initiative provides convenient at-home access to cutting-edge genetic testing technology, patient education and genetic counseling services. JScreen believes the combination of education, access to premier gene screening technologies and personalized, confidential support are the keys to preventing these devastating diseases.