GDF Poster
Information Awareness Campaign
The GDF has spearheaded a publicity campaign which will include a poster and information for doctors.

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Fundraising

GDF is completely run by volunteers, which enables it to use all of its fundraising dollars to directly fight genetic diseases. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than one million dollars through galas and other fundraising events to support research and education focused on preventing genetic disorders.

GDF's compelling mission attracts a wide array of business leaders such as Michael Goldstein, CEO, Toys 'R' Us; and Henry Termeer, CEO, Genzyme Corporation; and entertainment industry figures such as Rosie O'Donnell, Roberta Flack, Jon Secada and Wendy Wasserstein. Their support helps GDF raise funds for research, education and prevention programmes.

Research
In our first year, GDF raised more than $500,000 for the purchase of genetic analysis equipment for Mount Sinai's Department of Human Genetics in New York City.

In 2000, the Foundation awarded the Department of Human Genetics an additional grant of $380,000 to purchase various state-of-the-art genetic analysis research equipment, including a high throughput automatic ABI Prismâ 3700 DNA Sequencer and Transgenomics DHPLC for the rapid identification of mutations causing disease.

The DNA Sequencer is an advanced instrument that enables a wide variety of sophisticated genetic analyses. With this technology, DHG's scientists can determine the precise structure of genes and identify disease-causing genes and specific mutations in patients. The DHPLC is an innovative new and cost-effective instrument that, for the first time, automates the difficult task of detecting known or unknown disease-causing mutations in genes.

These sophisticated instruments help accelerate genetic research, including genetic screening and genetic discovery efforts.

Education
GDF helps disseminate new information about genetic diseases to the public and physicians via seminars, symposia and publications. To further this goal, GDF supports a genetic counselor, a health professional experienced in the areas of medial genetics and counseling to assist the Foundation in its important educational mission.

The Foundation also supports medical and public symposia seminars at hospitals and community centers throughout the greater New York area and nationally by the Department of Human Genetics' expert medical geneticists and genetic counselors. These educational lectures update physicians, community leaders and the public about the latest advances in genetics, particularly in cancer genetics, reproductive genetics and the prevention and treatment of birth defects and inherited diseases. Recent seminars focused on the impact of the human genome project on medicine, the increased availability of testing for diagnosis and prevention and research advances to treat and cure genetic disorders.

Prevention
Committed equally to prevention, GDF underwrites free carrier screening days at The Mount Sinai Medical Center and at outreach community hospitals for couples at-risk to have children with severe genetic disorders.