Prominent Genetics Foundation to Present Bikes to Children with Rare Diseases at Heartwarming "Day of Caring" Event to be Held Friday, March 30, 2012 at the Charlotte, NC Convention Center

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During the second annual ACMG Foundation Day of Caring, the ACMG Foundation (www.acmgfoundation.org), a prominent non-profit genetics foundation based in Bethesda, MD will give new bicycles and helmets to 20 children from several North Carolina genetic disease support agencies at 10:00 am in Exhibition Hall C of the Charlotte, NC Convention Center.

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Genetics professionals from around the world will be on hand to present bicycles to local children and families from The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Southeast Chapter and Community Health Intervention & Sickle Cell Agency, Inc. (CHISCA) as part of the ACMG's 2012 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting and Conference. Families of children with rare genetic diseases will be invited to this special heartwarming event that draws thousands of genetics professionals for five days of educational sessions and exhibits. The ACMG Foundation, whose theme is Better Health Through Genetics supports education, research and a variety of other programs to translate genetic research into better health for all individuals.

Mary McAllister, Executive Director of Community Health Intervention & Sickle Agency, Inc. said, "We appreciate the work of the ACMG Foundation in funding genetic research and education programs. Thalassemia and Sickle Cell are both genetic diseases that require education of parents to move their child to better health unhampered by the disease. CHISCA, Inc., a 40-year-old North Carolina nonprofit provides education, screening and support services to parents of children born with both of these genetic diseases. Thanks to ACMG Foundation for having a Day of Caring and in providing bicycles that will enable our young clients to exercise, move and improve their health."

"We are so very grateful to the ACMG Foundation and the generosity demonstrated through the presentation of these bicycles to children affected by mitochondrial disease. For many affected children, the simple joy of riding a bike outside is a nice break from hospital stays and doctors' visits. In many cases, a bicycle is a luxury due to exceedingly high medical bills and other financial obligations of the family. We, as an organization, are very thankful for the awareness this kind act brings to rare diseases, especially mitochondrial diseases," said Chuck Mohan, Jr. Executive Director/CEO of UMDF.

"Medical geneticists, genetic counselors and other practitioners in genetics are simply some of the most caring people in healthcare today," said R. Rodney Howell, MD, FACMG, President of the ACMG Foundation. "What better way to demonstrate that caring than by supporting children affected by genetics diseases with a healthy surprise. Children with rare diseases can feel like they are 'different' and all they want to be is like every other child and to be able to experience the same things as their friends. All children deserve to be kids, to have fun and to enjoy wonderful things like a new bike."

Sadie Jordan, Program Manager of the Mecklenburg County CHISCA, Inc. office concluded, "There are times that it only takes a little caring and concern to allow a child to see a light of joy and happiness as they recover from a crisis. Those children living with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell genetic disorders look to see the light of joy as they move from a crisis to better health. The Day of Caring is providing joy to many who need to know that you are loved."

The ACMG Foundation 2012 Day of Caring is supported by PerkinElmer, members of the American College of Medical Genetics and the ACMG Foundation.

SOURCE American College of Medical Genetics Foundation