On 10th and 11th November, Jnetics, the UK’s only cross-communal charity dedicated to the prevention and management of the genetic disorders that disproportionately affect the Jewish community, held a matched funding campaign to raise the funds to continue with its lifesaving work.
The Give and Let Live 2024 campaign harnessed a network of 160 champions to break through their original target of £600K, raising over £760,000 and counting. Thanks to many generous matchers, the money raised over the 36 hours of the campaign was doubled, ensuring every pound will have double the impact.
The funds raised ensure that Jnetics will continue its screening services in Jewish schools across the country, as well as on university campuses and through the Jnetics Clinic, which is specifically aimed at young couples beginning to think about family planning. Testing a couple before they try for a baby will help couples avoid the heartbreak of conceiving a baby affected by a genetic disorder that disproportionately affects the Jewish community.
“One particular highlight of 2024 was the launch of the new NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, for which Jnetics is a recognised engagement partner alongside Chai Cancer Care. This initiative is ground-breaking for our community, as Ashkenazi Jews are six times more likely than the general population to carry a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Since launch, 25,000 people have already signed up for testing.” Nicole Gordon, CEO, explained. “The success of this campaign will ensure we can continue in our mission to detect those at higher risk of developing certain cancers, hence improving long term outcomes which will in turn save more lives across the community,” she added.
“The campaign, which marks a decade of screening and thousands of lives saved, has not only raised the funds required to support our screening programmes over the next 12 months, but it has also raised awareness so that more people understand how vital and life-changing testing can be,” Tony Angel, Jnetics’ Chairman, added.
To donate to the campaign appeal, please visit www.charityextra.com/jnetics
For further information on our screening programmes please visit www.jnetics.org/getting-tested
