Who Gets It?

• Gaucher disease occurs most often in the
Ashkenazi Jewish population, but other ethnic
and racial groups carry the disease as well

• Anyone with the deficient enzyme can develop the
symptoms of Gaucher disease (symptoms may
appear at any age)

Who Should Be Tested for
Gaucher Disease?

• Families of Jewish descent should consider being
tested for Gaucher di s ease. In the Ashkenazi
Jewish population, 1 in 10 people is a carrier
of Gaucher disease

• If you have the disease or are a carrier, there is an
increased chance that other members of your family
may have the abnorrk gene as well

There is a wide range of
support programs for families
affected by Gaucher disease:

The National Gaucher Foundation (NGF) was

founded in 1984 to support medical research

• A simple and anonymous blood test can determine if
you have this enzyme deficiency

and clinical programs that enhance the current

Treatment

understanding of Gaucher disease. The NGF

Safe and effective therapy for Type 1 Gaucher disease is
available.

also provides assistance to patients and

families, sponsors education and awareness

programs, and publishes a quarterly newsletter.

The NGF serves as a continuing resource for

How Do You Get
Gaucher Disease?

• It is passed genetically from parents to their children.
A person can develop Gaucher disease only if he or
she inherits the abnormal gene from both parents.
Genes are instructions carried in DNA, the genetic
material of life

• People who inherit the abnormal gene from just one
parent will not develop Gaucher disease but are
carriers and can pass the gene to their children

families and individuals by providing support

and information about Gaucher disease.

For those who are in need of diagnosis and/or

Medical and Emotional
Support

treatment, Gaucher Treatment Centers are

• The NGF offers programs to help people who may be
suffering from the emotional, social, and physical
limitations of Gaucher disease

continuing care and assistance to individuals

• Young people must cope with Gaucher disease
symptoms, such as growing at a slower rate than
their peers and being restricted from certain activities

• Parents must cope with the problems their children face

healthcare facilities that specialize in providing

with Gaucher disease.