Media Advisory: State Health Commissioner to Celebrate 50 Years of Newborn Screening's Life-Saving Benefits
Newborn Screening Lab Open for Media Tour, National Exhibit to be Unveiled
ALBANY, N.Y. (August 5, 2013)– State Health Commissioner, Nirav R. Shah M.D., M.P.H., will be joined by Wadsworth Center scientists, legislative leaders and newborn screening advocates at the New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Albany on Tuesday August 6, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. to mark the 50th Anniversary of the national newborn screening program.
New York State screens approximately 242,000 babies a year for 45 diseases, including HIV, sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. Beginning December 31, 2013, a new test for adrenoleukodstrophy (ALD) will be added. ALD is a rare genetic disease that affects the nervous system.
At the event a national exhibit provided by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) which is traveling to states throughout the country will be on display. It reveals the scientific discoveries that enable mass, rapid and accurate testing of newborns. Dr. Michele Caggana, Director of the Newborn Screening Program will also provide the media with a tour of the Newborn Screening labs where scientists detect disorders in infants throughout the state.
Who
NYS Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H.,
NYS Senator William J. Larkin
Dr. Jill Taylor, interim director, Wadsworth Center
Dr. Michele Caggana, director Newborn Screening program, Wadsworth Center
Elisa Seeger, mother of Aidan and Sienna Seeger, founder, aidanhasaposse.org
Andrea Moran, executive director, Hunters Hope Foundation
What
Dr. Shah will discuss New York's Newborn Screening program and new screening for ALD.
Where
Wadsworth Center, Corning Tower, Albany, N.Y.
When
Tuesday, August 6, 10:30 a.m.
*NOTE: Media Outlets must R.S.V.P with name of reporter and/or photographer attending to: Marci Natale: mln03@health.state.ny.us Reporters/Photographers will be required to check in at the security desk at the base of the Corning Tower and provide a valid NYS identification.
