Turner Syndrome Society hopes to promote awareness; educate, inform

By Angelica Haggert

The local group of the Turner Syndrome Society will be on the main campus of St. Clair College this week to promote awareness of the condition.

Turner Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that occurs in one of every 2,500 women and girls. This condition is caused during cell division during fetal development, where one X chromosome is damaged or destroyed.

“There are about 80 to 100 women and girls with Turner Syndrome in Windsor-Essex,” estimates Turner Syndrome Society Canada president Stephanie Cragg.

Cragg is one of these women living with Turner Syndrome. The Society originally was formed more than 30 years ago.

 

“We wanted to raise awareness and education about the condition and provide a support network for others who had been diagnosed with it,” said Cragg about why a small group of Windsor women are trying to create a chapter.

The society will be on campus as part of a Wellness and Health Week event put on by St. Clair College.

“We want to meet new individuals diagnosed with Turner Syndrome and their family members as well,” said Cragg. “We hope to form a really strong network.

Women with Turner Syndrome tend to be shorter than average and may require additional hormone supplements to go through puberty at an average rate. These women are also at a higher risk of infertility, hearing loss and heart abnormalities.

“We really want to let people know more accurate information,” said Cragg. “There’s such a wide variety of how it can affect the individual. We want people to know that you can have a full happy life with Turner Syndrome and we’re here to support them.”

 

Interview conducted by March Ren.