SHODAIR GENETICS LAB ADDS NEW SCANNING INSTRUMENT

Shodair Genetics Lab Adds New Microarray Scanning Instrument

Shodair Children’s Hospital Genetics Laboratory recently purchased an Illumina iScan microarray system. This cutting-edge instrument adds capabilities and higher throughput to the lab’s already existing testing options, allowing the lab to produce higher quality results and add new tests to our catalog. Future test options for this instrument include pharmacogenetics, carrier screening, and epigenetic disease profiling.

“Our previous microarray platform limited us to running about 8 to 16 samples per week, one at a time, for a very specific test to look for large extra or missing DNA material in a patient’s genome that may be associated with disease,” says Corbin Schwanke, Chief Administrative Officer of Medical Genetics. “This instrument increases that capacity up to hundreds of samples a week and consolidates several of our tests to a single instrument rather than individual manual processes. It also will support some of our growing sequencing assays, focusing on areas most critical to genetic disease diagnosis.”

This instrument purchase was made possible through the support of our Foundation and the generosity of our donors.

This instrument increases our capacity up to hundreds of samples a week and consolidates several of our tests to a single instrument rather than individual manual processes.

When I was asked to be the champion child for Shodair, I was overwhelmed with emotion and memories from my time as a patient all seemed to come rushing back at once. Memories of the staff who supported me, the lifelong friends I made, and all the doors that were opened for me.

When I was asked to be the champion child and these memories flooded through me, I was unsure if my story would help, but more honestly, if I was the right person to help. I was asked to come in for an interview with the foundation team, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t order several different dresses and panic about what to do with my hair before that meeting. As I walked into the foundation building, I was greeted by the warmth and excitement of a new opportunity. I felt like I was in the right place, and I knew I could breathe.

Now was the time to make new memories with some of the same people, but with so many new ones. I was overwhelmed with emotion once again as I started to meet the people who would now be on my team, and who would give me just as much support as I had when I was fighting for my life. It was a huge relief to get to see some of the same people who have always been part of my story but also get to add so many new characters to a new chapter.

As I made my way through my first year as a champion, I was given real life experience that my story was helping people and being able to share it made an impact. Experiences like a current patient coming up to me during the NAMI walk and saying “I saw your video. Thank you for sharing your story, it really helped me.” and giving me a hug or walking into a doctor’s office and the nurse saying “I saw you in the newspaper, that’s so cool. Thank you!”

As my year as Shodair’s local champion child was coming to a close, I was asked to attend lunch with my new Shodair team and the former CEO of Children’s Miracle Network, John Lauck. Shortly after we sat down and said our hellos, John said, “We are here to celebrate Bella” and he looked at me and said, “Bella you have been chosen as national champion for 2020”. John changed my life that day, and not necessarily with the superficial fun stuff, but because he helped the 7-year-old girl who often hid under tables because of the magnitude of her anxiety was so great. For the first time in an awfully long time, that anxiety felt far behind me. I was here, I was alive, and I was making an impact. I used to talk a lot about the difference between surviving and living, and there I was, living.

I was incredibly lucky to have the experiences I had during my time as a champion. Like traveling to Las Vegas and speaking to 7,000 people at the MGM Grand or getting to talk to Lady Gaga’s team and having them publish an article about my story, and the little stuff, like Jamba Juice smoothies every time I traveled, or flying for the first time. Even better than the experiences I had were the people.

My time as a champion was impactful to so many people, but most of all to myself. Shodair saved my life, and now as an employee I’d like to think I am returning the favor. My three years as a champion was one of the hardest things I have done, but it was the most hopeful I have ever been in my 19 years on this earth. I don’t have the words to express my gratitude, so a simple thank you will have to do for now. Thank you. n

BY BELLA B. BREWSTER

I was given real life experience that my story was helping people and being able to share it made an impact.