On Tuesday 7th May, 156 ladies attended Jnetics Ladies Night: Knowledge is Power Dinner at The Sorting Office, Temple Fortune. The venue was transformed into a hub of inspiration and empowerment as the guests gathered to champion the life-saving efforts of Jnetics within the community.
Led by Nicole Gordon, CEO of Jnetics, the evening commenced with a warm welcome and an insightful overview of the organisation’s remarkable progress over the past decade. Nicole also highlighted Jnetics’ pivotal role as the engagement partner, alongside Chai Cancer Care, to NHS England for the new Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, emphasising its groundbreaking impact in identifying individuals at higher risk of developing certain cancers.
Following a dinner, an esteemed panel comprising of Dr Angela George, Clinical Director of Genomics and Consultant Medical Oncologist in Gynaecology at The Royal Marsden Hospital, and Sami Webber, a BRCA activist who sadly lost her mum to ovarian cancer, were interviewed by journalist and TV presenter, Olivia Wayne. Their poignant insights reiterated the significance of both the BRCA programme and Jnetics’ recessive screening programmes, and the potential to save countless lives through early detection and intervention.
Dr George told the room, “The best types of cancers are the ones we can prevent, and the new BRCA screening programme has the ability to change the legacy of your family forever.”
When asked what advice she would give to people considering being tested, Sami explained, “Every individual has to make their own decision, but what I would say is that knowledge is power.”
“The evening was hugely successful in raising the profile of Jnetics’ life-saving work within the community,” Nicole Gordon told us. “The funds raised on the night will help ensure that we can educate and screen young adults for 47 recessive genetic disorders and the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations that disproportionally affect the Jewish community. With virtually no government funding, we are reliant on the community to fund our work.” Nicole added.
For further information about Jnetics visit www.jnetics.org. For further information about supporting the charity or future events email emma@jnetics.org.
