Fanconi Anemia: A rare disease with a real impact.

Fanconi anemia is a genetic DNA repair disease that may lead to bone marrow failure, leukemia, and other cancers. This inherited, genetic condition affects males, females and all ethnic groups equally. Simply put, FA does not discriminate.

Twenty-three different genes may cause FA, including the two breast cancer genes BRCA1 & BRCA2.

People with FA can have a variety of symptoms ranging from heart defects and kidney problems to abnormalities of the arms and hands. But while no two cases of FA are the same, one fact continues to hold true—every person with FA’s blood counts will decline over time and eventually require a stem cell transplant in order for them to survive. Thankfully, new advances are being discovered every day.

In 1995, only 1 out of every 7 bone marrow recipients with FA survived an unrelated donor bone marrow transplant. Today, that number is 6 out of 7.

In 1995, only 1 out of every 7 bone marrow recipients with FA survived an unrelated donor bone marrow transplant. Today, that number is 6 out of 7. But despite these successes, patients continue to be affected by shortened life expectancy, increased chances of developing various forms of cancer and other maladies. For this reason, Kidz1stFund will not rest until further treatments can help to alleviate these problems in every FA patient and, eventually, a true cure for FA can be found.

So read through this site, donate if you can and, if you’re still looking for more information on Fanconi anemia, visit the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund at Fanconi.org.