East Greenwich school district collects $300 for Tourette Syndrome from Jeans Day

MICKLETON -- In October 2012, North Brunswick High School’s faculty held the first “Jeans Day” to benefit the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS). Since then, six other Jeans Days – in which faculty donate up to $5 for the right to wear jeans for the day – have taken place at schools in every corner of New Jersey, including one in the East Greenwich Township School District in Mickleton.

Organized by Stacy Kuhen, a popular teacher who coordinates many of the district’s fundraising efforts, East Greenwich's Jeans Day brought in $300.

“We have established a ‘Jeans for a Cause’ program in our district, and the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome is one of the amazing organizations that we chose to support,” Kuhen said. “We appreciate (NJCTS’) efforts to support those who are living with Tourette Syndrome.”

Tourette Syndrome is an inherited, misunderstood, misdiagnosed neurological disorder characterized by sounds and movements known as tics that affects 1 in100 children, teenagers and adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in the eyes of NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice, advocacy efforts such as these Jeans Days will have impact on the TS community for many years to come.

“We are truly grateful for the fundraising and awareness efforts of the students and faculty in the East Greenwich Township School District, and thank them for teaming up to support the Tourette Syndrome community,” Rice said. “We graciously accept this donation, which will effectively serve the children and families throughout New Jersey through our statewide education outreach, peer advocacy and family support initiatives.”

For information on how to host a Jeans Day in your school district, or for more information about Tourette Syndrome or the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome, please call 908-575-7350 or visit www.njcts.org.

South Jersey families affected by Tourette Syndrome also are invited to attend an update on the neurological disorder and the many research initiatives taking place on Saturday, February 8, at Virtua Voorhees' Health & Wellness Building. More information is available by clicking here.