Sickle Cell Society
| Published: 26th June 2007 22:17 |
The Sickle Cell Society is excited to announce that in 2007 public and professional awareness of sickle cell disorder is set to reach new heights as we have been chosen as a 'Guest Charity' by Jeans for Genes, one of the UK's most popular one-day fundraising events. In exchange for a contribution of £2 from adults and £1 from children, supporters have ‘permission' to ditch their school uniform or work clothes and create a day of ‘denimised' fun. Jeans for Genes raises £3 million each year which is spent on pioneering research into genetic disorders. It also provides valuable advice and support services for families affected by genetic disorders.
Funds raised on Jeans for Genes Day on Friday 5th October 2007 will contribute to the Sickle Cell Society's new Regional Care Volunteers' Project. Through a network of trained volunteers, this project will provide direct support to individuals and families affected by sickle cell disorder such as home-help, befriending, hospital visiting and respite care, which is not available from the statutory sector or is difficult to access.
In Sickle Cell Awareness Month of July, the Sickle Cell Society will launch its usual awareness campaign as well as its new collaboration with Jeans for Genes. The campaign which will run until the end of October (Black History Month) kicks off on Sunday, 1st July 2007 with the Society's annual service of remembrance and thanksgiving to be held at 3pm at the Parish Church All Souls, 3 Station Rd, London NW10 4UJ. This will be followed by the Annual General Meeting on Saturday, 14th
July 2007, 10am -5pm at the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham St, London SW1P 3DW. Local events held by sickle cell centres and support groups around the country will be mapped and supported from our headquarters in North London and publicised on our website: http://www.sicklecellsociety.org
On 5th October 2007, we will be asking all our supporters to jump into their jeans for the day in the ‘denimisation of the nation'! To take part all you need to do is register for a fundraising pack at www.jeansforgenes.com or call their freephone number: 0800 980 4800. Stella Ochi whose identical twin girls Jacqueline and Jennifer have sickle cell anaemia and are helping to promote the Jeans for Genes campaign says:
"I am keen for us to be part of the Jeans for Genes campaign so we can help raise awareness of sickle cell disorder. Couples who carry the gene need to know a lot about it so they can make informed choices about starting a family. I am thankful for support from the Sickle Cell Society and my local support group when it has been difficult looking after Jacqueline and Jennifer, however if I can continue to manage their condition well they can be whatever they want to be".
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