Adina Sieff from South Africa worked to establish a platform and opportunity for young Jewish individuals in her community to get tested for common genetic diseases. She teamed up with the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) and the Malka Ella Fund, an organization which provides genetic testing and counseling, to achieve awareness of genetic diseases in the Jewish community and increase the number of people getting genetic testing done. Adina created a webinar event for SAUJS students featuring a genetic counselor from the Malka Ella Fertility Fund and a couple who shared their journey after both testing positive for the same genetic condition. Through the promotion of genetic awareness, testing and counseling, Adina worked to create a niche platform of knowledge and empowerment for Jews in the Johannesburg community. Those who wouldn’t usually go through this process have been exposed and aware of the necessity to get a genetic test done, and even had access to an organization that was there to help assist emotionally and financially with the process.
Breaking the Stigma | Adina Sieff
