Bearing Healthy Children Initiative
According to the March of Dimes, every year, more than 307,000 babies are born with blood disorders worldwide. In the early 1960s newborn screening was introduced as a public health program to test for a group of health disorders that were not otherwise found at birth. The testing was created to minimize life-threatening health problems. If the screening identified a life-threatening health problem, the child’s doctor would be notified and early intervention therapies would begin.
That’s good news, but here’s the problem...
The program fails to educate about the possibilities of future risks.
Furthermore, there is a gap in the dissemination of information from parent to child which prevents the child when they become adults from making informed reproduction decisions for themselves.
Because of this lack in urgency the cycle never ends and 307,000 babies will continue being born every year.
What is a genetic disease?
A genetic disease is any disease caused by an abnormality in the genetic makeup of an individual. The genetic abnormality can range from minuscule to major -- from a discrete mutation in a single base in the DNA of a single gene to a gross chromosomal abnormality involving the addition or subtraction of an entire chromosome or set of chromosomes.
Some people inherit genetic disorders from their parents, while acquired changes or mutations in a preexisting gene or group of genes cause other genetic diseases. Genetic mutations can occur either randomly or due to some environmental exposure. Learn More at MedicineNet.
Most Common Types
of Genetic Disorders
Sickle cell disease - A hereditary disease caused by mutations in one
of the genes that encode the hemoglobin protein.
Cystic Fibrosis
Tay-Sachs
Hemophilia
Huntington's Disease
Muscular Dystrophy
The Solution
Bearing Healthy Babies Initiative
Join the Bearing Healthy Babies Initiative by getting tested to make sure that you are not a carrier of a heritable genetic disease. By getting tested, you will have the peace of mind knowing that you, your child and others in your immediate family can make informed decisions on having a family
People say “What you don’t know can’t hurt you,” I beg to differ. I did not know that I was a carrier of a heritable disease and I hurt everyday for my twin sons who at birth, were diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease.
The lack of information and education about heritable diseases is a health disparity. Quest to Cure will join the fight with State Health Departments, Government Agencies and other Community Organizations to eradicate genetic blood disorders.
The Outcome
Outcome: Everyone tested and identified as being a carrier of a heritable disease will get the chance to make an informed decision. And, every child born and identified as a carrier will have the same opportunity when they become adults and decide to have children. There's no better gift than the gift of knowledge. So... Get Tested. By getting tested, you will in turn drastically change the yearly incident rate of babies born with genetic blood disorders. Contact us to find out more.