Genetic Support Foundation

10/06/2026

A new set of recommendations from the International Society of Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) and European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) provides guidance on when prenatal genomic sequencing may be useful. One key message: genetic counseling before and after testing is an essential part of the process.

Our latest blog article breaks down what these recommendations mean for families.

👉 Read New Recommendations for Prenatal Genomic Sequencing: What Families Should Know by visiting blog.geneticsupportfoundation.org/new-recommendations-for-prenatal-genomic-sequencing

09/22/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest genetic counselor, Shivangi "Shivi" Sinha, to the Genetic Support Foundation team! 🎉

Shivi earned her master's degree in Genetic Counseling from the University of Washington, and brings experience serving patients across Idaho and Eastern Oregon as an oncology genetic counselor.

At GSF, Shivi is driven to increase access to quality, equitable genetic counseling through patient care, advocacy, and education. She has a strong interest in telemedicine to increase access to care as well as culturally competent communication strategies to bridge healthcare disparities.

Welcome to GSF, Shivi! We're so excited to have you on the team! 💙

09/07/2026

Your genetic test result is only part of the story. 🧬

For World Duchenne Awareness Day, we're sharing an important conversation about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) carrier screening, variant interpretation, and the uncertainty that can sometimes get lost in a lab report.

What does a "positive" result really mean? And what happens when the answer isn't so simple?

Our Executive Director digs into the science and what it means for genetic counseling and the families we serve.

Read the full article: thednaexchange.com/2025/10/24/should-dmd-carrier-screening-come-with-an-uncertainty-presumption/

08/26/2026

🎉 10 years of making reproductive genetic counseling more accessible! 🎉

We're honored to be in our 10th year partnering with HMOs, hospitals, and small practices to bring patient-centered reproductive genetic counseling to more people and support clinicians in every setting.

Our community partnerships help connect patients with expert genetic counseling when and where they need it - whether through an integrated healthcare system, a local practice, or virtually from home.

We're grateful to the healthcare organizations and clinicians who have trusted Genetic Support Foundation to be part of their patients' care. Together, we're helping make genetic counseling more accessible, equitable, and patient-centered.

Here's to another decade of partnership and expanding access to reproductive genetics ! 🧬💙

08/18/2026

🎉 Congratulations to the Valley Health and Genetic Support Foundation team!

The partnership between Valley Health and Genetic Support Foundation has been recognized by the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center with a 2026 Breaking Barriers Through Telehealth Honorable Mention! 🏆 GSF Genetic Counselor Christie Jett, MS, CGC, accepted the award on behalf of the team.

From the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center Summit 2026 Event Announcement: "Through a partnership between Valley Health and the Genetic Support Foundation, this innovative hybrid model pairs an onsite genetic counselor with a remote team to expand access, reduce provider burnout, and strengthen oncology genetic counseling throughout a medically underserved region. The program served 466 patients last year, reduced average appointment wait times to just 13 days, and is on track to serve more than 500 patients this year."

Thank you to Christie and the entire team for demonstrating how creative partnerships and telehealth can help break down barriers and expand access to genetic counseling! 💙

08/12/2026

📣 Mitochondrial disease webinar series!

Join experts on mitochondrial disease, including our very own genetic counselor and mito patient Devin Shuman, in this MitoAction webinar series covering what a genetic counselor needs to know.

Topics will include direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing, clinical trials, prenatal testing, testing strategies, LHON, and more!

You can attend for free, live or recorded, or sign up to receive CEUs (0.95 for $40).

👉 Register here: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/2026-mitoaction-educational-series-for-genetic-counselors/registration

08/04/2026

July was a busy month of community engagement, with GSF participating in four condition-specific conferences to share resources, present research, and collaborate with others. As a nonprofit organization, Genetic Support Foundation relies on the generosity of our supporters to make our work possible. Monthly donations are especially powerful – they provide reliable funding that allows us to plan ahead, respond to emerging needs, and continue serving patients and families all year-round.

Past GSF board member and monthly donor Jessie Conta shares her story:

"By providing that monthly donation, I can ensure that the organization can plan and make sure that resources are available in a consistent way for people who really need it."

Even small donations can make a big impact when you become a recurring GSF donor. Join us today by visiting GeneticSupportFoundation.org/donate and choosing to support us with a monthly donation!

07/28/2026

What an incredible week at the Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) and National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) conferences! 💙

Our team, including Viviane Polarson, MS, CGC, Dr. Stephanie Meredith, and Dr. Nicholas Wright from Gonzaga University, had the opportunity to connect with Down syndrome advocates, families, healthcare professionals, and community organizations from across the country. Together, we shared our medically and community-reviewed resources for new and expectant parents learning about Down syndrome.

We also led sessions with wonderful colleagues on:
⭐ Finding and writing successful grant applications for nonprofit organizations
⭐ Building partnerships between local Down syndrome organizations and healthcare providers to better support new and expectant parents
⭐ Using personal stories to advocate for meaningful policy change

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, attended a session, presented alongside us, and shared in these important conversations. We're grateful to be part of such a passionate community working to support people with Down syndrome and their families. 💙

Photo credit to the wonderful and talented Dr. Nicole White!

07/27/2026

07/17/2026

Com stop by our booth at DSAIA during NDSC this week or join one of our presentations!

It's going to be a big week for us at the National Down Syndrome Congress Conference this coming week!

GSF/Lettercase/Down Syndrome Pregnancy be exhibiting at Down syndrome Affiliates in Action Wednesday and Thursday, so come by and see us for free book samples, Andy Meredith postcards, and Ghirardelli chocolate!

Dr. Stephanie Meredith will be presenting with Dr. Nicholas Wright on Wednesday from 4-5pm about Grant Writing 101 and Grants with a Purpose (Medical Outreach).

Next, we will be presenting with the Down syndrome Collaborative on Thursday from 9:30-10:30 about how to "Grow and Sustain Parent Support and Medical Outreach Programs Through Community Collaboration"

Then, Stephanie will be presenting about "How to Tell Your Story So It Leads to Action" on a panel during the Advocacy Training Bootcamp on Friday morning from 8:30-11am.

And finally Stephanie will be presenting alongside Jawanda Mast on Sunday from 9-10:30 about "Moving Past the School and Teen Years: Tip and Tricks for Putting Together the Jigsaw Puzzle of Adult Life."

Please come join us--we hope to see you there!