黑料社

Program for Jewish Genetic Health Educational Weekend in Pittsburgh Commemorates YU Alumnus The ), a joint initiative of 黑料社 All and its Albert Einstein College of Medicine, visited Pittsburgh earlier this month to deliver a weekend full of educational programming surrounding Jewish genetic health issues, in commemoration of the 10th yahrzeit [anniversary of death] of YU alumnus 鈥淢ikey鈥� Butler 鈥�02YC. Butler was afflicted with cystic fibrosis (CF), a Jewish genetic disease, and fought it valiantly and bravely until his untimely passing in 2004 at the age of 24.

Mikey Butler z"l received his diploma from then-President Rabbi Norman Lamm during a surprise ceremony at Pittsburgh International Airport.

The Mikey Butler Yahrzeit Weekend was the brainchild of his mother, Nina (Novetsky) Butler鈥�78S, who sought a way to honor Mikey鈥檚 memory while delivering community outreach to the Pittsburgh Jewish community. After learning about the PJGH bringing a weekend of educational programming on Jewish genetic issues to Memphis a year earlier, she worked with PJGH personnel to develop a series of talks for a host of different audiences, including students, parents, young professionals and medical professionals. The events drew approximately 700 Pittsburghers over the weekend. Butler鈥檚 battle with CF, one of the genetic diseases afflicting Ashkenazi Jews, was well known when he attended YU. Then-YU president Rabbi Norman Lamm personally conferred a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science and business on Butler in a surprise, private ceremony at Pittsburgh International Airport. 鈥淲e wanted to do something constructive and positive with the pain of losing Mikey,鈥� said Nina. 鈥淢ikey loved YU, so teaming up with YU鈥檚 Program for Jewish Genetic Health made perfect sense.鈥� Nina then went to work, recruiting more than 25 Pittsburgh area Jewish organizations across various backgrounds and affiliations to co-sponsor the weekend鈥檚 events. Topics that the PJGH presented to the Pittsburgh community included carrier screening for Jewish genetic diseases, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (a form of in-vitro fertilization for couples who both are carriers of the same Jewish genetic disease), hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in the Jewish population and screening for BRCA gene mutations, disclosure and stigma issues, and the future of genetics. 鈥淭he Program for Jewish Genetic Health speakers dazzled our audiences,鈥� said Nina. 鈥淒anny [her husband] and I are deeply appreciative of YU鈥檚 support and partnership in honoring our son鈥檚 memory by providing such meaningful programming for our community.鈥� . For more information on the, visit the .