Karmanos Cancer Institute receives grant to provide genetic testing to uninsured / underinsured at high-risk of breast and ovarian cancer

DETROIT – The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute’s Cancer Genetic Counseling Service (CGCS) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation to establish the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation Genetic Testing Assistance Fund. The grant, which will be payable over the next three years beginning in 2009, will enhance the CGCS outreach and provide genetic testing for individuals of all ethnicities who are at risk of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC). HBOC is the most common cause of inherited forms of both breast and ovarian cancer and is highly prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish population.

Nick Karmanos, vice president of Development for the Karmanos Cancer Institute; and Nancie Petrucelli, MS, CGC, of Karmanos Genetic Counseling Service; receive the first round of funding from Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation Executive Director David Blatt. The total grant award of $100,00, to be paid over the next three years, will establish the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation Genetic Testing Assistance Fund at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Photo by Lynn Fisher Read the rest of this entry »