L'Dor V'Dor - Greater Phoenix Jewish Genetic Diseases Project received the Belle Latchman Community Service Award at the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix's Dec. 6 annual meeting.
The program was sponsored by the Council for Jews with Special Needs, with collaboration by Jewish Family & Children's Service, Deutsch Family Shalom Center of Temple Chai, Young Leadership Division of the federation, Hadassah Valley of the Sun Chapter and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.
Dr. Sherman and Andi Minkoff co-chair the project.
The project's primary objectives are to raise awareness of Jewish genetic diseases in the greater Phoenix Jewish community through ongoing educational presentations and to provide affordable screening opportunities at least once a year.
In 2005, the initial screening event tested 134 individuals, and 74 young adults were tested in 2006. Over both years, 35 individuals were found to be carriers of one gene mutation, and two were carriers of two gene mutations.
The next screening is scheduled for March 11, 2007, at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale.
The project received national recognition in November during a presentation at the United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Los Angeles.
