Faconi Canada~Silent Auction

Welcome to May!

In support of the 2009 Ontario Fundraiser for Fanconi Canada, I have donated a piece of jewelry for the silent auction (prize #135). http://www.curefanconi.org/

This year, the Ontario Fundraiser for Fanconi Canada will be held on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 at 5:30pm at the Terrace Banquest Centre, 1680 Creditstone Road, Vaughan, Ontario.

Tickets are only $100
For more details please visit www.fanconicanada.org

What is FA?

Fanconi Anemia (FA), first described in 1927 by a Swiss pediatrician Guido Fanconi, is the most common of the inherited anemias that lead to progressive, severe bone marrow failure, also known as aplastic anemia. The effects of the disease are devastating, leaving patients weak, prone to severe bleeding due to insufficient blood clotting and susceptible to infection. FA is a genetic disorder that occurs equally in males and females and is found in all ethnic groups. Though considered primarily a blood disease, it may affect all systems of the body. A Fanconi Anemia patient often, but not always, has other physical defects detectable at the time of birth ranging from minor to serious. Patients are also at an increased risk for developing leukemia and other cancers. Many children do not survive to adulthood.
(Posted by http://www.fanconicanada.org/en/inf31.php)

How is FA diagnosed?

FA usually reveals itself when children are between the ages of 3 and 12, but in rare cases no symptoms are present until adulthood. Some babies are diagnosed at birth but some FA patients undoubtedly are never correctly diagnosed. The most common test to detect FA is called the Chromosome Breakage Test. The chromosomes in the cells of FA patients when studied in the lab, break and rearrange easily. Scientists do not yet understand the reason for this chromosome breakage, but can use it as a diagnostic test for the disease, if FA is suspected. This test involves just a blood sample from the patients where the stability of the chromosomes under the addition of destructive agents will indicate FA.
(Posted by http://www.fanconicanada.org/en/inf31.php)

Share the love and support. Fanconi Canada is a registered charity that funds research in Canada into an effective treatment and, ultimately, a cure for Fanconi anemia and serves as a support network for affected Canadian families.

Yours in Design,