Genetics may not be on everyone's radar, but it is an important topic to which anyone can relate. There are many ways to plan programs and spread the word, and we're here to help.

The Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders provides education and outreach programming concerning bioethics, Jewish genetic disorders, hereditary cancers and other matters of significance to the Jewish community. The “In Your Genes” project offers resources for planning an informational program on your campus by pairing up with Hillel or Chabad, medical clubs, pre-medicine fraternities and science departments, amongst other organizations, to bring in speakers or put together a multifaceted event. Download our free brochure.

If you are looking to offer a testing program on your campus, you should be in touch with the Victor Center or the Genetic Disease Center of Greater Phoenix, which offer subsidized testing at college campuses. Also some centers and clinics nationwide, like the Chicago Center, offer testing to students at highly subsidized rates or for free.

Other ideas to increase awareness on college campuses include running programs similar to Jean Therapy: Feel Good in Your Genes, where local stores offer a small discount on denim (as a promotion) and give out information cards with each purchase or working with political organizations to lobby for more non-discrimination bills, bans on gene patenting, and increased insurance coverage. For help with a program or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our community outreach coordinator by phone (312-357-4988) or email TarynBrickman@juf.org.

Feel free to contact the Center by phone at (312) 357-4718, by email at jewishgeneticsctr@juf.org or by fax at (312) 855-3295 to obtain a complete In Your Genes planning packet or for any other additional resources.