Donate jeans, help kids with genetic disorders - Jeans for

Genes Malaysia 2016 is part of a global campaign which raises awareness of genetic disorders affecting children.

YOUR jeans can make you look good and do good this month.

The Jeans for Genes Malaysia 2016 campaign, co-organised by the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya and the Genetics Medicine Unit at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, is part of a global campaign which raises awareness of genetic disorders, especially those affecting our country’s children.

It is estimated that every year in Malaysia, some 20,000 of our children are born with congenital malformations which can give rise to a wide range of debilitating symptoms.

This year, in conjunction with UM’s 111th anniversary, we are celebrating Jeans for Genes Day with a special event next Sunday.

A giant DNA helix will be formed out of jeans (as tribute to our name ‘Jeans for Genes’). The jeans will be sourced from donations from the public and they will be sold off as part of our fundraising efforts at a later date.

The public is invited to be involved in this meaningful campaign as it is important to understand genetics in this genomics era, and the need to be more supportive of families with children affected by genetic disorders.

Apart from raising awareness, the campaign is also geared towards raising funds to aid the affected children, through providing a better quality of life by assisting in the medical, physical and emotional challenges that they face.

The event will be a mix of educational talks about genetic disorders and genetic counselling.

There will also be an opportunity for adults and children to learn more about DNA through engaging activities like extracting their own DNA, creating DNA artwork and playing DNA-related games. A local artiste, Hanie Soraya, who is a medical student will be making a special appearance.

The Celebration of Jeans for Genes Day will be held on Sept 25 from 9am to 12pm, Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Malaya. For more information, visit Facebook.com/JeansForGenesMalaysia/ or e-mail jeans4genesmalaysia@um.edu.my.