The Jewish Observer
News from Middle Tennessee's Jewish Community | Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024
The Jewish Observer

Let’s Talk Genes: Jewish Women Learn to Take Control of Their Risks

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Pictured l. to r. Co-Chair Carolyn Hecklin Hyatt, Miriam Horwitz, Rachel Spielman, Jordana Loeb
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Pictured l. to r. Maxine Perlen, Nilam Patel, Federation Staff, Barbara Schwarcz, Federation Event Coordinator, co-Chair Felice Apolinsky, Ellen Rosen
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Panelists pictured l. to r.: Pam Kelner, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service at podium, Felice Apolinsky, Dr. Ann Wilford, Melissa Rosen, Tricia Blumenthal, Peggy Cottrell, Dina Gluck

Empowerment was the word of the day when Nashville Jewish women gathered to learn about their potential genetic risks for cancer. Jewish Family Service brought together cancer survivors, medical experts, educators, and the leadership team from Sharsheret, a nationwide Jewish support services organization.  

Event co-Chair Carolyn Hecklin Hyatt introduced co-Chair Dina Gluck who shared her personal story of learning she was a carrier of the BRCA gene that causes cancer. Gluck recently underwent a preventative double mastectomy, a move that dramatically decreased her risk for breast cancer.  

The panel discussion was led by event co-chair Felice Apolinsky. Panelists included Gluck, Peggy Cottrell, genetic counselor with Sharsheret, Melissa Rosen, director of education and training at Sharsheret, Dr. Ann Wilford an Ob/Gyn, and cancer survivor Tricia Blumenthal of Vanderbilt.  

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Pictured l. to r. Hayley Levy Kupin, Rhonda Kupin, Libby Werthan
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Pictured l. to r. Linda Gluck, Lori Gluck, Sandra Hecklin, co-Chair Dina Gluck, Susy Schulman

The event was presented in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville. To learn more about Jewish Family Service, visit www.jfsnashville.org, to learn more about Sharsheret, visit www.sharsheret.org, to donate to the Jewish Federation, visit www.jewishnashville.org/donate. 

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