Many Gather at Zoo for Worldwide 22q Awareness Day
By: Natalie Ferrari
Updated: April 22, 2012
Families from all across the Big Country met up in Abilene today to spread awareness on a particular genetic disorder.
Today marked the Worldwide 22q Awareness Day in almost a dozen countries. Close to home, a group of 22q supporters met up this afternoon at the Abilene Zoo in hopes to educate others about the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, all while enjoying a day at the zoo. 22q is a genetic disorder that is caused by the deletion of a small portion of the 22 chromosome.
"It just makes people more aware that it's an under-diagnosed syndrome" says Sarah Knerr, a supporter of today's event. "So maybe if somebody hears about the syndrome, they'll think, oh maybe I should ask my physician about that."
The syndrome affects 1 in 4,000 births and is linked to a number of medical problems such as heart defects, learning and speech problems.
Today marked the Worldwide 22q Awareness Day in almost a dozen countries. Close to home, a group of 22q supporters met up this afternoon at the Abilene Zoo in hopes to educate others about the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, all while enjoying a day at the zoo. 22q is a genetic disorder that is caused by the deletion of a small portion of the 22 chromosome.
"It just makes people more aware that it's an under-diagnosed syndrome" says Sarah Knerr, a supporter of today's event. "So maybe if somebody hears about the syndrome, they'll think, oh maybe I should ask my physician about that."
The syndrome affects 1 in 4,000 births and is linked to a number of medical problems such as heart defects, learning and speech problems.
