Genetic Information to Stop Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Launches Two Websites
A young woman in the prime of her life who developed breast
cancer due to a genetic predisposition to cancer desires to
break the cycle of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by
raising one’s awareness of the benefits of genetic testing.
While there are a multitude of web sites dedicated to educating
the public about breast cancer, Genetic Information to Stop
Breast and Ovarian Cancer is unique in its focus. Co-founders
Lori and Bill Sklar wanted to focus on educating women about
the benefits of genetic testing to ascertain their hereditary
risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Boca Raton, Florida (PRWEB) April 25, 2006 -- They were personally
motivated to create their non-profit organization, Genetic
Information to Stop Breast and Ovarian Cancer, because Lori
developed breast cancer at the age of 47 as the result of
a gene mutation. If she had known about her genetic predisposition,
she would have taken positive measures to reduce her risk
of breast and ovarian cancer. She underwent months of chemotherapy
and surgeries to reduce the chance that the cancer would return.
Unfortunately, she developed leukemia as the result of the
chemotherapy. Both Bill and Lori Sklar recognize the sensitivity
of the subject of genetic testing but Lori’s story is
one that could have been avoided if someone had educated her
about genetic testing and its benefits.
Through the development of two web sites Genetic Information
to Stop Breast and Ovarian Cancer targets two different population
groups of women across the globe. Reach Global (www.reachglobal.org)
was created to educate the general population of the benefits
of genetic testing to ascertain whether they carry the gene
mutation which places them in a higher risk category for breast
and ovarian cancer. Due to the high risk of genetic breast
and ovarian cancer among Ashkenazi women, Jacob International
(www.jacobintl.org.) was created to target this niche of the
population. Both web sites are supported by strong advisory
boards consisting of well respected oncologists, geneticists,
religious leaders, and businessmen and women.
Co-founders Lori and Bill Sklar are no strangers to helping
others. Lori has been the social action chair of Congregation
B’nai Israel in Boca Raton, Florida for over a decade.
She has joined efforts with Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church
to feed over 1000 needy children and adults at Thanksgiving
time, set up a food drive at her synagogue to benefit the
Daily Bread Food Bank and Kosher Food Pantry, and started
13 years ago Mitzvah Day where over 600 congregants perform
different acts of kindness in the community. Bill has served
as a faculty member of the University of Miami Law School
for over 27 years in the Graduate Real Estate Law Program
and is Counsel of Edwards, Angell, Palmer and Dodge, a national
law firm. He chaired Governor Jeb Bush’s Task Force
on Homeowner’s Associations and was responsible for
the drafting and passage of legislation providing consumer
protection reforms for millions of Florida homeowners.
The mission of Jacob International and Reach Global is to
educate women women through brochures, videotapes, websites,
and speaking engagements about genetic testing and its potential
benefits. “Through our firsthand experience with failure
in the medical community to advise Lori about genetic testing,
we don’t want others to travel the road that Lori has
had to endure, says Bill Sklar, President and co-founder of
Jacob and Reach Global. “We are committed to spread
the word so women can get tested, reduce their risk and prolong
their lives.”
For further information about its mission please visit, jacobintl.org
and reachglobal.org or
call 1-561-394-9100.
Contact Information:
Lori or Bill Sklar
www.jacobintl.org
www.reachglobal.org
561-394-9100
P.O. Box 880688, Boca Raton, Florida 33488
