CARES Foundation Celebrates Universal Newborn Screening for CAH in All 50 States with Rolex Watch Raffle
(UNION, NJ, September 16, 2008) -- When CARES Foundation began its campaign for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) newborn screening in 2001, only 27 states required testing for this potentially devastating disease. Through the combined voices of families, medical professionals and advocacy groups across the nation, this is no longer true. Today we celebrate the fact that as of 2008, every state in the nation is testing newborns for CAH at birth.
In commemorating this monumental accomplishment, Suzanne Levy, CARES Foundation acting executive director, remarked, "We are here to celebrate the implementation of universal newborn screening for CAH in all 50 states. Across the country, every single newborn is being tested for this life-threatening disease at birth. That means that no parent will walk out of a hospital without knowing how to care for their infant, and no infant will leave the hospital without the life-saving medicine needed in the event of a crisis. What a remarkable achievement!"
In recognition of this victory for families throughout the United States and to help raise needed funds to further the mission of CARES Foundation, Rolex USA generously donated a beautiful ladies watch that was raffled off during today's video-taped event.
CAH is an inherited disorder affecting the adrenal gland, which if left undetected can result in life-threatening imbalances in salt and hormone levels. An autosomal recessive disease, both parents are carriers but there is rarely any family history to indicate potential for inheritance. A silent killer, newborns affected by CAH frequently 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. On the other hand, if CAH-affected children are detected before adrenal crisis, they simply are placed on proper medications and can expect to live normal, full lives.
CARES Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of families and individuals affected by Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) through proactively advancing research for better understanding of CAH, better treatments and a cure; educating the public and healthcare professionals about all forms of CAH; advocating for universal newborn screening; and providing support services and resources vital to the CAH community worldwide.
For more information on CARES, CAH and newborn screening, please visit our website at http://www.caresfoundation.org or call 866-277-3737.
CARES Foundation Contact:
Suzanne Levy
Acting Executive Director Suzanne@caresfoundation.org
2414 Morris Ave., Suite 110
Union, NJ 07083
Phone: 973-912-3895
Toll-free: 866-227-3737
URL: www.caresfoundation.org
