Press Room>Archive>Gov. DiFrancesco Honored

Celebrating Five Years of Saving Our Babies

UNION, NJ, June 8, 2006 -- No one ever imagines their pregnancy or unborn child to be anything but normal and healthy, especially if there is no family history of illness. One in 800 babies, however, are affected by genetic diseases that, if not detected in the newborn period before signs of the disorder become apparent, can lead to infant death, disability or severe mental retardation. Thanks to former Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco, since 2001, New Jersey has been making sure that infants are protected from silent killers through expanded, universal newborn screening.

"If it wasn't for Governor DiFrancesco, I may not have my son," said Beth Holtzman of Ventnor, New Jersey.

Born on July 20, 2004, Zachary Holtzman, is one of hundreds of babies saved over the past five years. A drop of blood was taken from his heel after birth and sent to the state lab where it was tested for 29 genetic diseases that lead to infant death, disability, or severe mental retardation and can be prevented or minimized with early intervention and treatment. Within a week of birth, he was diagnosed as having Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). He immediately was placed on life-saving medications and today is a happy, healthy two-year old.

Without testing for CAH in New Jersey, however, his story could have been dramatically different. Frequently, newborn CAH babies also show no outward signs of the disorder and are sent home only to present a few weeks later for urgent medical attention at a time when they are beyond resuscitation. An autosomal recessive disease, both parents must be carriers to have an affected child; but the parents are completely unaffected by the condition, and there is rarely any family history to indicate potential for inheritance of CAH. If not detected at birth, infants with CAH will go into adrenal crisis and risk death within a couple of weeks of life. If they do manage to survive, the potential for severe physical, mental and financial consequences is very high.

"Universal, comprehensive newborn screening saves lives," says Kelly Leight, executive director of the CARES Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to CAH research, education and support. "It is for this reason we feel having reached the milestone of five years of expanded newborn screening in New Jersey calls for a celebration."

On Saturday, June 17, 2006, 7:00 - 10:30 p.m. at the Maplewood Country Club, the CARES Foundation will honor Governor DiFrancesco for his signing Executive Order 126 that led to the dramatic expansion of newborn screening in New Jersey and the detection of life-threatening conditions in 2391 infants since 2001.

Funds raised through the event will support the CARES Foundation, an organization committed to improving the lives of families and individuals affected by Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) through proactively advancing research for a cure, educating the public and health care professionals, advocating for universal comprehensive newborn screening, and providing support services and resources vital to the CAH community worldwide. They will also help bridge the gap in funding resulting from of the losses the foundation sustained when its Millburn office building caught fire earlier this year.

Corporate sponsors include: Pfizer Inc, KeySpan Home Energy Services, Rolex USA and Commerce Bank.

The cost to attend is $150. Corporate sponsorship packages and tribute journal advertising opportunities are available. There is also a Luxury Raffle for a Women's Rolex Watch, with tickets at $25 each.

Contact:
Kelly Leight
Kelly@caresfoundation.org
CARES Foundation, Inc.
2414 Morris Ave., Suite 110
Union, NJ 07083
Phone: (908) 364-0272
Toll-free: (866) 227-3737
Fax: (908) 686-2019
URL: www.caresfoundation.org

Beth Holtzman
Mother of Zachary Holtzman
Ventnor, NJ
Phone: 609-822-8482
Cell: 609-214-2328

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