0

It was the same type of mu-
tated beta-thalassemia gene Mr.
Diamond carries.
In early 1994, Dr. Ariella Op-
penheim of the department of
hematology at Hadassah Uni-
versity Hospital in Israel and Dr.
Charles Scriver, director of the
division of medical genetics at
McGill University/Montreal Chil-
dren's Hospital Research Insti-
tute, conferred and established
that Mr. Diamond and Ms. Paran
are relatives. The two had never
met each other.
These findings triggered a re-
search project led by McGill and
Hebrew universities. Mr. Dia-
mond joined with professional re-
searchers in a more extensive
study of the trait. He continued
his genealogical endeavors to dis-
cover his Western Hemisphere
genetic cousin, Ms. Meltser.
Mrs. Meltser's mother was Ms.
Paran's great-aunt (the sister of
Ms. Paran's grandmother). That
makes Mrs. Meltser and Ms.
Paran second cousins.
Mr. Diamond contacted Mrs.
Meltser and told her about the
family's mutated beta-tha-
lassemia gene. He explained why
she may carry the gene and the
importance of getting a blood test.
"I was really shocked," says
Mrs. Meltser, reflecting on the
phone call she received last June
from a stranger named Stanley
Diamond.
The former Russian language
and literature teacher currently
works as a facialist at Smile's Sa-
lon in Birmingham. Although Mr.
Diamond's phone call stirred Ms.
Meltser enough to obtain a blood
test, she also reacted with delight
to learn more about her far-reach-
ing family tree.
"It was very, very exciting," she
says. "What is really amazing is
that Mr. Diamond and I are fam-
ily in some way. He sent me my
family tree. I learned much more
about my relatives than I even
knew before."
Mrs. Meltser's blood test,
which she describes as "short and
not hard at all," came back neg-
ative for the beta-thalassemia
gene. This indicates that her two
sons needn't worry about carry-
ing the trait, either. But Ms.
Meltser has two cousins from
Russia whom she has urged to
get blood tests.
Meanwhile, Mr. Diamond has
carried what he calls his "voyage
of discovery" onto the Internet.
His messages on the JEWISH-
GEN echo, a worldwide network
for Jewish genealogists, are read
internationally. El

For more information on
Stanley Diamond's research,
call or fax him at:
(514) 484-0100 (phone);
(514) 4847306 (fax). His
e mail address is: Stanley.
Diamon
167.z1
*10
7
ww4ige,

-

Selecting the right nursing home is one of the most difficult things you'll ever have to do. Usually the deci-
sion must be made quickly and under very stressful circumstances. You want only the finest. Now is the
time to call Peachwood Inn.

Peachwood is exactly what you are looking for. We offer assisted living, basic and skilled nursing and we have
a special care unit for people with Alzheimer's Disease or other demential. A complete restorative therapy
department specializes in physical, occupational and speech therapy. Our 145 dedicated and highly trained
medical staff gives each resident individualized attention and personalized care. The recreation department's
programs provide daily opportunities for companionship and enjoyment. Dietary prepares and serves meals
that are nutritious, varied and appealing. Naturally special diets are honored. You'll find all these excellent
services and programs at Peachwood in a traditionally beautiful, secure atmosphere where the physical
and emotional well being or each older adult, and their family, is our main concern.

Call Renee Mahler for your personal tour. Let her show you what older adult health care should and can be

Peachwood Inn

3500 W. South Boulevard, Rochester Hills
810-852-7800

Medicare certified

Tours by appointment, Monday-Friday

KISS BAD BREATH GOOD-BYE

For some
children, visions
of growing up
may be simply
that. Visions.

Children with cystic fibrosis
want to grow up. They have
dreams of the future just like
every other child.
More than half of them will
live into their twenties, but that's
when life should be beginning
not ending.
Your gift of $15, $25, or even
more will give a child more than
just a vision of hope. Give the
future... call 1-800-343-4300,
ext. 321 today. VISA/Master Card
accepted.

a

Cystic
Fibrosis
Foundation

Are You Compromising Your Social
or Business Success?
Dr. Robert B. Goldenberg, D.D.S. reveals
Causes and Treatment

As seen on WJBK TV 2 and WXYZ TV 7.

"People spend billions of dollars a year on mouth sprays and mouth rinses.
Now were able to give them an understanding of halitosis
AND TREAT IT."
— Dr. Robert B. Goldenberg, D.D.S.

THE MICHIGAN HALITOSIS TREATMENT CENTER
McAuley Health Building
42180 Ford Rd., Suite 301
Canton, Michigan 48187

(313) 981-1199

1115