“Jeans for Genes” creates awareness for all Genetic Diseases

Students put jean pockets on “Jean for Genes” project.

By Hailey Massey | Assistant Editor |

Student Council and DATA Processor Zoed Rodriguez joined forces to bring awareness to lesser known Genetic Diseases with “Jeans for Genes,” a UK-based fundraiser that raises money to go towards funding research for multiple genetic disorders, cancer and epilepsy.

The fundraising idea was sparked by personal connections to student council vice president, Megan Burciaga and Data Processor Zoed Rodriguez came and spoke with Student Council about the fundraiser and shared her son’s story as well.

“I have a child with special needs, and a rare disease at that, there’s lass than 600 diagnosed cases of Koolen-de Vries Syndrome and that’s how I found them [Jeans For Genes] because they help advocate for families who have members who are rare like that,” said Rodriguez, “Everyone knows about Autism and Down Syndrome and things that are a little more common, but Koolen-de Vries isn’t something that everyone knows about.”

Student Council Set up the “Jeans For Genes” project on Feb. 28 and urged students to participate by creating their own personalized jean pockets to place on the jeans.

“Everyone knows about Breast Cancer but not a lot of people about the smaller Genetic Disorders.” said Burciaga, “So I wanted to bring awareness to it through organizations like Jeans for Genes.”