ADVISORY: Press Conference to Announce the Launch of Connecticut’s ALD Newborn Screening Program Wed., Aug. 24 at 11 am

Branford – State lawmakers plan to announce the launch of Connecticut’s ALD newborn screening program at a press conference at Branford Fire Department Headquarters on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 11:00am. Legislators and representatives from the Department of Public Health will be joined by Jean and Jack Kelley and their son, Brian, who has adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). The Kelley family has made it their mission to advocate for ALD awareness and testing through their charitable foundation “Brian’s Hope” (brianshope.org). Connecticut initiated an ALD testing pilot program after passing legislation in 2013. The statewide newborn screening program officially began testing for adrenoleukodystrophy this summer.

WHO: The Kelley family, Sen. Len Fasano, Sen. Ted Kennedy, Jr., Rep. Lonnie Reed, Rep. Peggy Sayers, Sen. Joe Markley, the CT Department of Public Health (Dr. Jafar Razeq, Director of the DPH State Laboratory, and Adrienne Manning, DPH’s NBS Research Scientist)

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 11:00am

WHERE: Branford Fire Department Headquarters, 45 North Main St., Branford, CT 06405

WHY: To announce Connecticut’s successful launch of a newborn screening program to test newborns for adrenoleukodystrophy, a genetic brain disorder.