This week, we released a new report powered by 23andMe Research on Psoriasis for 23andMe+ Premium members.
The autoimmune condition is characterized by discolored, itchy, and scaly patches of skin often seen on the knees, elbows, and scalp. Symptoms can also occur in other areas of the body, such as the torso, palms, and soles of the feet. In its mildest form, psoriasis can be a nuisance. But in severe cases, the condition can be painful and sometimes unsightly. 
Psoriasis is chronic and symptoms may come and go throughout a person’s life. Such things as stress, intense sun exposure, infections, or skin injuries can trigger flare-ups.
The condition is estimated to affect about 3 percent of people in the United States.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="790" height="1024" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-790x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29706" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-790x1024.png 790w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-231x300.png 231w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-768x996.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-679x880.png 679w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM.png 796w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px" /></figure>
 
<h6>More About Psoriasis</h6>
Psoriasis is often confused with another skin condition, eczema. Both can trigger skin irritation but eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is more often characterized by itchy, dry, and or discolored skin. Eczema shares genetic associations with<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/researchers-identify-new-genetic-associations-for-allergies-asthma-and-eczema/"> allergies and asthma.</a> Psoriasis on the other hand, has genetic associations with genes involved with the body’s<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-genetic-variants-found-influence-psoriasis-risk/"> immune response</a>.
Like eczema, psoriasis can be itchy, but symptoms are more associated with a stinging or burning sensation, and more inflammation of the skin. Psoriasis also typically includes thickening patches on the skin, called “plaques.” In addition, the condition sometimes includes areas of skin that are covered in silvery-white scales that flake off.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="658" height="568" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.40-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29707" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.40-PM.png 658w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.40-PM-300x259.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 658px) 100vw, 658px" /></figure>
 
<h6>A New Report</h6>
The new 23andMe+ Premium report, which is powered by data from consented 23andMe research participants, uses machine learning techniques to estimate an individual’s likelihood of developing psoriasis.
To make the estimate for the likelihood of developing psoriasis we use a statistical model that includes more than 7,500 genetic markers as well as information on an individual’s ethnicity and birth sex. Our researchers also verified that the model meets our scientific standards for individuals of European, Hispanic/Latino, East/Southeast Asian, South Asian, Sub-Saharan African/African American, and Northern African/Central &amp; Western Asian descent. Your Psoriasis result also takes into account the birth sex you indicated in your account settings.
<h6>Taking Action</h6>
There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are several promising treatments and ways to manage the condition. Healthy lifestyle habits — limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, and managing stress — can lower the chances of developing psoriasis, as well as reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
Medications used to treat the condition vary depending on whether the condition is “systemic” meaning it affects the whole body, or “localized,” meaning it only affects an isolated area of the skin.
Beyond the physical symptoms, psoriasis is also associated with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. This is in part because the condition carries a stigma because of the misconception that it is contagious, even though it’s not. (23andMe does not report on contagious conditions.) Beyond that, the appearance of the condition and chronic discomfort can be isolating. 
<h6>Learn More</h6>
23andMe’s new Psoriasis Report (Powered by 23andMe Research) is available to all 23andMe+ Premium members. To view your report, go <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.psoriasis/">here</a>.
Not yet a 23andMe+ Premium member?
Find out more about our 23andMe+ Premium membership  <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/?halnup=hath">here</a>.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

New 23andMe+ Premium Report on Psoriasis

Angel Rich, whose father was adopted, always believed she was Dominican. She was raised in a household that spoke Spanish—she even minored in the language in college.
 But her 23andMe reports told another story. Her background revealed primarily African heritage, with a smattering of European and Asian ethnicity.
<h2>A Big Surprise</h2>
First came the surprise. “Having been told that I was Dominican my whole life, it was kind of a shock,” she said.
 Then came acceptance. “Yet it was also a relief to know where I came from…I had always been drawn to African culture.”
And later, curiosity. “I’m a researcher, so I wanted to understand why I had ancestry from places like Nigeria, the Congo, and Cameroon…and then I learned that the Fula people had traveled through all these places.”
 So in 2018, Angel Rich traveled to several countries in Africa, tracing the migration of her ancestors, the Fula people – one of the largest ethnic groups on the continent. “I wanted to learn more about my background,” she said. “The whole thing is fascinating to me.”
<h2>23andYou</h2>
Angel shared her story during “23andYou,” the first-ever community conference for our customers. The three-hour virtual event brought over 1,000  attendees together to learn more about the 23andMe experience. 
Participants learned more about our ancestry, traits, and Health reports, discovered new research initiatives underway, and heard stories from customers like Angel. The event also included several Q&amp;A sessions with product scientists, researchers, and other experts. 
<h2>Empowerment and partnership</h2>
Empowerment and partnership were key themes of the day. In a fireside chat, CEO Anne Wojcicki spoke about her desire “to do something where I’m truly empowering people” and stressed the importance of partnership. “You have to have true engagement with your customers, and you have to treat them like partners,” she said. 
One example of the power of that partnership can be seen firsthand in 23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/therapeutics/">therapeutics program</a>, explained Principal Clinical Scientist Sophia Majeed during an afternoon breakout session. 
“Therapeutics research and the consumer groups are all interconnected. Our consenting customers power the flywheel that enables discoveries that benefit them and help further our understanding of science.”
Sophia discussed the origin of <a href="https://investors.23andme.com/news-releases/news-release-details/23andme-initiates-phase-1-clinical-trial-first-wholly-owned">23Me-00610</a>, a new experimental cancer drug now in clinical trials. It was discovered using insights from data provided by consented research participants. 
“We’ve just started our journey in clinical trials, and we have a long way to go,” she said, “but I often think about our research participants who started by filling out surveys about themselves, which led to the insights that allowed us to identify this potential target for cancer and develop this investigational drug that we’re now testing.”
<h2>New Insights</h2>
The conference ended with a lively Q&amp;A session and brief closing remarks from Anne.
“[This] was a really important event for me,” she reflected. 23andMe is entirely built upon empowering individuals. The hope of this meeting is to give you greater insights into your genetics, whether it’s on the ancestry or the health side, so you can really use this genetic code and this incredible knowledge to have a better life.”

Customers at the 23andYou Community Conference

Corie Allessie, a retired dental assistant and former Navy jet mechanic, has a few essential rules for healthy living.



&nbsp;Never, ever eat in front of the television. Get up and get moving (winter is not an excuse). Prepare healthy food – especially vegetables – ahead of time. Minimize eating out. Walk whenever you can (her preferred walking partner is her 170-pound Saint Bernard, Pete). And keep yourself accountable, either by writing in a journal or sharing your goals with a friend or family member.



&nbsp;She came up with these guidelines after a 23andMe kit prompted a revaluation of her lifestyle.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="593" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-1024x593.jpg" alt="Corie and her daughter, Cassie" class="wp-image-29723" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-1024x593.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-300x174.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-768x445.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-880x510.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-1180x684.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218.jpg 1317w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Corie (left) with her daughter Cassie and her dog Pete </figcaption></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-honest-assessment">An honest assessment</h6>



Corie received 23andMe as a gift from her daughter and was excited to learn more about her genetics. As she waited for her results, she filled out several 23andMe <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212881977-23andMe-Research-Surveys-and-Questions">research questions</a> about her health.



&nbsp;The questions forced her to take an “honest look” at her choices and habits. “The questions really triggered something for me…maybe my weight gain wasn’t all about the COVID-19 pandemic; maybe it was about my low activity level or my eating patterns,” she said.



This reflection “sparked an interest in being more productive, active, and responsible for my health because what I do now will have an impact later on.”



&nbsp;So she decided to make changes and encouraged her family to do the same.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-re-on-the-right-path">&#8220;We&#8217;re on the right path&#8221;</h6>



By following the simple principles outlined above, Corie, her husband, and her daughter have lost over 80 pounds combined. “My daughter is running on the treadmill,” she reported. “My husband is walking more. We’re on the right path.”



And the benefits extend far beyond the scale. She now has renewed energy to do what she loves – playing with her three grandchildren (“who needs a gym, just have grandchildren,” she quipped), and creative writing. She even wrote a poem about her 23andMe experience:



“It came as a gift, but it’s so much more.



It showed me my ancestors from a time before.



Through science, I am able to see,



Those whose DNA is shared with me.



I have a connection with people far and near,



It helped me change, and took away the fear.



Together with the knowledge of my ancestry,



I can make healthy choices.



Thank you, 23andMe!”

A Family Gets Healthy, with Some Help from Mom

If you’re a recent Ph.D. graduate interested in opportunities to work with genetic data in the search for new insights into human disease and new treatments for those conditions, then 23andMe wants you.
23andMe has many new positions as part of our <a href="https://research.23andme.com/postdocs/">Postdoc Program</a>. Positions will include work in labs, data science, computational biology, or translational biology.  These positions offer the right candidates unrivaled opportunities to collaborate, investigate and discover together with our seasoned scientists known for world-class innovation.
“23andMe has a very large database of re-contactable customers who have consented to participate in our research driven by genetic data,” said Davide Foletti, a Research Fellow in Drug Discovery on the 23andMe Therapeutics Team.  “The unparalleled size of our unique database gives us enormous discovery power to study all manner of diseases. It shapes our approach to target discovery and guides our process to drug development generating insights at an unprecedented scale. The postdoc positions at 23andMe offer a unique opportunity for the right candidate.” 
The positions include generous compensation, with competitive salaries as well as top-notch benefits, and a wonderful working environment. The positions will be for two, or three years, and in the case of the biology postdoc positions within the Therapeutics Team, there will be an optional fourth year. Some positions may be remote. Two postdoc positions within the Research Team will be sponsored by the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
We are interested in recent Ph.D. graduates who are ready to pursue research focused on a number of areas, from Long COVID and Parkinson’s disease, to developing and improving upon polygenic risk scores, and studying the genetics of complex diseases within diverse populations.. Within our Therapeutics Team, there will be positions focused on genetics, biology and translational science, novel technologies, and computational and functional genomics approaches to target and drug discovery. 
Each Postdoc will be supported in expanding their research experience and skills while being highly encouraged to present their work externally at scientific meetings and publish in top-ranked peer-reviewed journals. The program offers the opportunity to work with the largest genetic and phenotypic database of its kind in the world,opportunities to develop project management skills and to work cross-functionally with multiple groups and functions within the company.
23andMe’s mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. Our Postdoc program will focus on therapeutics and the opportunity to ensure that more people benefit from the human genome. Qualified postdocs leading innovative projects push our mission forward, translating great research into great discovery.
Stay tuned for information and links to more details in the coming weeks for this great opportunity for the right candidate.  
<h6>Key Facts</h6>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">23andMe’s postdoc positions are for two, or three years with the option of a fourth year for the biology postdoc position on the Therapeutics team. While we cannot commit to hiring any of our postdocs, we encourage them to apply for open positions with the company after completion of their training. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The program is funded by 23andMe except for two positions created with the support of the Michael J. Fox Foundation.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The program aims to prepare the postdoc for success in research in academia or industry.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">23andMe postdocs will be working on real-world challenges alongside our scientists.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Eligibility Criteria</h6>
To be eligible for a 23andMe research postdoc position, you must have completed a Ph.D. in a STEM field within the last two to four years.
<h6>Recruiting Timeline</h6>
Details for the openings will be posted by the end of May 2022, with the aim of hiring qualified candidates this summer.
<h6>Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion</h6>
Diversity, equity, and inclusion at 23andMe foster a workplace that embodies respect and transparency, helps us empower one another, and provides access to opportunity for everyone. Learn how you will experience diversity, equity, and inclusion <a href="https://www.23andme.com/diversity-equity-inclusion/">at 23andMe</a>.
<h6>Applying</h6>
Visit our <a href="https://research.23andme.com/postdocs/">Postdoc Program Website</a> to learn more and apply for positions through <a href="https://www.23andme.com/careers/jobs/">our careers page</a>.

Postdoc Opportunities at 23andMe

For Mother’s Day this year we want to highlight <a href="https://www.facebook.com/23andMe/photos/a.10150582352627802/10161640110272802/?type=3">Lisa</a>, a public health nurse with a background in genetics, who shared what she learned using 23andMe as part of a little motherly advice for her two sons.
“I want to be able to help my kids understand their health risks and make good decisions,” Lisa said. “Knowledge is power.”
&nbsp;

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="512" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29725" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay-372x372.png 372w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>
 
<h6>Be Aware</h6>
A lot of parents use the refrain — “make good decisions“ — when talking to their kids. But Lisa knows that good choices depend on good information, especially when it comes to your health.
The first step is to understand a bit about your family medical history, and using 23andMe could help by filling in the gaps in that history. In Lisa’s case, she knew that age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults, ran in her family.  Her mom was diagnosed with AMD in her 70s. So, it wasn’t a surprise when Lisa learned that her Age-Related Macular Degeneration Genetic Health Risk report* showed two variants associated with the condition.
<h6>Taking Action</h6>
Having an understanding about the impact of genetics on her health, inspired her to take steps to try and keep her eyes healthy. First, she talked to her husband, who is a doctor, about what actions to take. Among the steps one can take to potentially lower their risk, are things like not smoking, and including more leafy greens, citrus, nuts and whole grains in your diet. And simple things like wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from harmful exposure to the sun. Lisa did all that and also took the time to talk to her sister, and then to her two sons.
&#8220;We&#8217;re looking out for them and making sure they see the seriousness of this disease,” Lisa said.
She wasn’t just offering up a bit of motherly wisdom, but sharing information that she knew could have lasting impact.
“I think it’s very empowering for them to have this knowledge and be able to pass it on to future generations,” she said. 
*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. The Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) genetic health risk report is indicated for reporting of the Y402H variant in the CFH gene, and the A69S in the ARMS2 gene and describes if a person has variants associated with an increased risk of developing AMD. The variants included in this report are common in many ethnicities but are best studied in people of European descent.

A Mother’s Vision

Instead of being treated for an illness, most of us would prefer to avoid getting sick in the first place.
But in large measure, our health care system isn’t geared for that. It’s quite good at treating illness but not so good at preventing it. What if you could turn that system on its head and, through genetic testing, identify the risk for a serious illness or disease before it becomes a problem?
Imagine a different kind of clinical care in which patients and their providers could take action earlier to treat or potentially prevent an illness altogether.
23andMe is taking its first steps to do just that.
“By starting with genetics we can give people, and their healthcare providers, better information about risks and potential treatments,&#8221; said Paul Johnson, 23andMe’s Vice President, General Manager, Consumer, and former CEO of Lemonaid Health. “This is a first step toward integrating genetics into everyday care. It has the potential to transform the traditional primary care experience and make personalized healthcare a reality.”
&nbsp;

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="268" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Linkedinfacebook-lemonaid.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29712" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Linkedinfacebook-lemonaid.jpeg 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Linkedinfacebook-lemonaid-300x157.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>
 
<h6>An Action Plan</h6>
In the fall, 23andMe acquired the innovative telemedicine company Lemonaid Health. 
For our customers, starting this week, we will be offering genetic report consultations with a Lemonaid Health clinician. These licensed and patient-centric healthcare professionals can help customers better understand the potential impact of their genetic risk profile and discuss the next steps. 
Every day, otherwise healthy 23andMe customers learn of genetic variants that could predispose them to a health condition that could be concerning. These are serious, clinically-relevant conditions. For many of these conditions there may be treatments available, so knowing of a risk offers customers a chance to take steps to prevent or manage them.  
This integration with Lemonaid Health will offer customers who may have learned of an unknown genetic risk through their 23andMe Health Reports, or those who simply have questions about a condition, an opportunity to consult virtually with a clinician about what those risks might mean for them. Together with the clinician, a customer can then create an action plan to address the identified risk if necessary.
<h6>The First Set of Reports</h6>
This first phase of the integration will focus on a subset of 23andMe’s Genetic Health Risk Reports* related to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome caused by variants in the BRCA genes, MUTYH-associated polyposis (a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome), and familial hypercholesterolemia which can cause high cholesterol and early heart attacks. In addition, 23andMe+ members will have the opportunity to share information related to select Pharmacogenetics Reports** when it is appropriate for their care plan. These reports focus on genetic variants that can impact how the customer may process certain medications.
Here are the reports that will be included in the first phase of this program:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report*, looks at three genetic variants associated with increased risk for breast cancer (in women and men), ovarian cancer and possibly certain other cancers including prostate and pancreatic cancer. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">MUTYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP) Genetic Health Risk Report*, looks at two genetic variants associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) Genetic Health Risk Report*, looks at two dozen genetic variants linked to FH which increases the risk of high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and premature heart attacks.</li>
</ul>
<h6>How it Works</h6>
23andMe customers will be able to connect with Lemonaid Health directly through one of these reports. From there they’ll be able to schedule a consultation with one of Lemonaid’s physicians or nurse practitioners.
A customer can choose to share their 23andMe report data with the Lemonaid Health clinician conducting the consultation. Alternatively, customers can decide to consult with a clinician without sharing their data, and simply discuss their reports or family health history. In either process, the customer and clinician consultation remains confidential. Customers will also have the option to discuss two 23andMe Pharmacogenetics (PGt) reports** (only available to 23andMe+ members) with a doctor or nurse practitioner within the context of the above conditions. 23andMe’s Pharmacogenetics Reports look at how a customer’s DNA may impact the way they process certain medications. 
The initial consultation will be $65, and focuses on helping an individual understand their 23andMe reports in the context of their own health and family history, and what next steps they could take. The discussion will focus on the interplay of genetics along with how their own personal and family health history influences the risk of developing a disease. Confirmatory testing could be recommended at the first consultation. 
Follow-up virtual visits will be $110 after that initial visit. Trained in genetic health concepts, the Lemonaid team may coordinate additional confirmatory testing if necessary or recommend specialist referrals, or they may simply help customers better understand their reports and next steps. Initially, the consultations will be by phone, and reachable through the 23andMe iOS app, Web, and Mobile Web.  The service is currently not available on Android devices.
<h6>Find Out More</h6>
This first step in enabling 23andMe customers to access individualized care powered by genetics delivers on 23andMe’s mission to ensure people can benefit from the human genome. 
Find out more about what 23andMe offers <a href="https://www.23andme.com/?halnup=hath&#038;evr=epv">here</a>.
<hr />
*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment.  Warnings &amp; Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of the 185delAG and 5382insC variants in the BRCA1 gene and the 6174delT variant in the BRCA2 gene. The report describes if a woman is at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and if a man is at increased risk of developing breast cancer or may be at increased risk of developing prostate cancer.  The three variants included in this report are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and do not represent the majority of BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in the general population. The MUTYH-Associated Polyposis Genetic Health Risk Report is indicated for reporting the Y179C and G396D variants in the MUTYH gene and an increased risk for colorectal cancer.  The two variants included in this report are most common in people of Northern European descent.  These reports do not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in these reports do not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action.  For important information and limitations regarding other genetic health risk reports visit  <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info">https://www.23andme.com/test-info</a>.  
**23andMe PGS Pharmacogenetics reports: The 23andMe test uses qualitative genotyping to detect 3 variants in the CYP2C19 gene, 2 variants in the DPYD gene, and 1 variant in the SLCO1B1 gene in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting information about the processing of certain therapeutics to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. It does not describe if a person will or will not respond to a particular therapeutic and does not describe the association between detected variants and any specific therapeutic. Our CYP2C19 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the metabolism of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of citalopram and clopidogrel therapy. Results for SLCO1B1 and DPYD and certain CYP2C19 results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. Warning: Test information should not be used to start, stop, or change any course of treatment and does not test for all possible variants that may affect metabolism or protein function. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional. Making changes to your current regimen can lead to harmful side effects or reduced intended benefits of your medication, therefore consult with your healthcare professional before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding Pharmacogenetics reports, visit 23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/

Another Step Toward Unlocking the Power of Genetic Health Information

Diseases are considered rare if they affect fewer than 200,000 in the United States, but collectively rare diseases — there are nearly 7,000 — are more common than we realize, affecting about 25 million Americans and more than 300 million people worldwide.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-16566 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/lung_xray-300x223.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="223" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/lung_xray-300x223.jpeg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/lung_xray.jpeg 350w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Because these are rare conditions finding enough research participants to study these conditions can make studying them immensely challenging for scientists. But the 23andMe research model is uniquely suited to<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-way-to-study-rare-disease/"> study rare diseases.</a> We’ve launched a series of studies on rare diseases like <a href="https://www.23andme.com/systemic-sclerosis-study/">systemic sclerosis</a>, and<a href="https://www.23andme.com/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/"> idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)</a>. Earlier this month we added one more to the list with a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sarcoidosis-representation/">new study of sarcoidosis</a>. April also happens to be Sarcoidosis Month, and April 30th is National Sarcoidosis Day in the United States.
So, take a moment to learn a bit more about this little-known condition.
<h6>An Inflammatory Disease</h6>
Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DOE-SIS), is an inflammatory disease that mostly affects the lungs in people with the condition but can affect any organs in the body. 
The disease leads to the clumping together of inflammatory cells in different organs, which in turn can lead to scarring and organ dysfunction. While it impacts both men and women, and people of any ethnicity or age, it disproportionately affects people of African ancestry, particularly women, and people of Northern European ancestry. 
Early symptoms may include fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or painful swelling of the joints. Because it often affects the lungs, sarcoidosis symptoms may also include shortness of breath, wheezing, a persistent cough or chest pain. When it affects the heart, the condition may result in irregular heart beat, or accelerated heart beat, or swelling of the heart, known as edema. It can also affect the eyes resulting in blurred vision,
There currently is no cure and few approved treatments.
<h6>Searching for Treatments</h6>
23andMe’s study will look at genetic associations in what we hope will be the world’s largest study of this disease in African Americans. We hope the research identifies potential new treatments for sarcoidosis. Our efforts will involve recruiting people with the condition to participate in our research. That ensures that people of African ancestry are well-represented in the research. This is to ensure that any new potential treatments are effective for underrepresented populations.
In general, studying rare diseases is a challenge because patients are hard to find and recruit in large numbers. Simply finding enough people with one of these conditions who can participate is often the first hurdle for researchers. But 23andMe is uniquely positioned to do this work. We believe that by leveraging online tools and reaching out to individuals diagnosed with sarcoidosis we can accelerate the pace of research.
Just as with most other rare diseases, there is a strong genetic component to sarcoidosis. However, many of the genetic variants associated with the condition have not yet been identified. 
<h6>More</h6>
Learn more about 23andMe’s sarcoidosis study <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sarcoidosis-representation/">here</a>.
Questions about the study? Contact us at <a href="mailto:sarcoidosis-representation@23andme.com">sarcoidosis-representation@23andme.com</a>.

23andMe Launches Sarcoidosis Study

In the early 2000s, three people had a radical idea. What if you could access your genetic information and truly understand what it means for your health?
That radical idea became the foundation of 23andMe.
 Since then, more than 12 million people have accessed their genetic information through 23andMe, and 80% of them have consented to participate in research that could lead to new insights and discoveries. 
Today, 23andMe turns 16. In many ways, we’re a lot like any other teenager. We’ve experienced some growing pains, we’re comfortable pushing boundaries, we’ve had our fair share of adventures, and we’re never afraid to question the status quo. 
 To celebrate this milestone, we’re resurfacing 16 of the best, strangest, funniest, and most influential moments in our company history.

<h6>1. Three people walk into an office…</h6>
Anne Wojcicki co-founded 23andMe in 2006 with Linda Avey and Paul Cusenza, who had previously worked at DNA micro-array company Affymetrix, to change the future of genetics and healthcare. The team of three worked out of a small office in Palo Alto, complete with an overcrowded, hardworking computer server room. Scientific rigor was top of mind; the co-founders spent their early days meeting with regulators, building a robust advisory committee, and figuring out how to give people direct access to their genetic information.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="889" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/blog1-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29733" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/blog1-1.png 2000w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/blog1-1-300x133.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/blog1-1-768x341.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/blog1-1-1024x455.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/blog1-1-880x391.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/blog1-1-1180x525.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /></figure>
 
<h6>2. What’s in a name</h6>
One of the first priorities was finding a company name, and Anne had a few ideas. In an early email (with the subject line: name explanation), she wrote:
“[The name] 23andME is derived from three elements:
23: pairs of chromosomes in our DNA, one set from each parent.
AND: people want to know what it means for them, and if you reverse ‘and,’ it spells DNA.
ME: It’s all relative to and about our customers – it’s their DNA; it’s their choice.
We also believe in 23and We; collective MEs can change the world.”

<h6>3. Drawing design inspiration from candy</h6>
23andMe had a name and vision. Now it just needed a logo. Early designs drew inspiration from unlikely sources, like bright, fruit-flavored candy. Each design iteration moved us closer to the logo we have today – a fun, colorful symbol of the accessibility and curiosity at the heart of 23andMe. Sweet!

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="889" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29734" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-.png 2000w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi--300x133.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi--768x341.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi--1024x455.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi--880x391.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi--1180x525.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /></figure>
 
<h6>4. You’re invited to a Spit Party</h6>
The elements of a good party are simple: food, drink, friends, music, stimulating conversation, and, in the case of our 2007 Spit Party held in New York City, saliva. The event was part of a larger strategy to introduce our product to the world.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="889" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-1-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29735" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-1-1.png 2000w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-1-1-300x133.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-1-1-768x341.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-1-1-1024x455.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-1-1-880x391.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-1-1-1180x525.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /></figure>
 
<h6>5. Look, Ma. We’re on TV!</h6>
Our first TV campaign, Portraits of Health, featured people sharing what they learned from their 23andMe reports. Some discovered unknown ancestry or insights about particular traits like blue eyes or curly hair. Others learned information about possible genetic risks related to their health. 

<h6>6. A part of something bigger</h6>
The 23andMe<a href="https://www.23andme.com/research/"> research model</a> invites customers to consent to participate and help to accelerate genetic discoveries that offer the potential for new insights and treatments. We regularly collaborate with partners across academia and industry and have authored and contributed to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/publications/">hundreds </a>of peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Our collaboration with <a href="https://www.michaeljfox.org/parkinsons-awareness-month?smcid=ap-a1b1R0000086fHf">The Michael J. Fox Foundation</a> allowed us to create a groundbreaking, dynamic<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/parkinsons-decade-of-discovery/"> research community</a> that ensures Parkinson’s patients have a voice.
And our publication in<a href="https://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(20)30200-7"> The American Journal of Human Genetics</a> leveraged the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/transatlantic-slave-trade-paper/">genetic data</a> of close to 50,000 people to investigate the transatlantic slave trade, confirming new genetic links between the Americas and Africa.
[vc_video link=&#8221;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG_2zj3I4gU&amp;list=PLFvkfbvHpp1lQ8bqNZaO629ePXdH7qSPx&amp;index=18&#8243; el_aspect=&#8221;916&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221;]
<h6>7. How to host a Neanderthal-friendly Thanksgiving dinner</h6>
Are you considering inviting a Neanderthal to your Thanksgiving celebration? We created a <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry-reports/six-things-serve-neanderthal-guest-thanksgiving/">set of guidelines</a> with everything you need to know about welcoming your closest extinct relative from the Pleistocene Epoch. 
Play to their strengths
Based on evidence that Neanderthals possessed sophisticated tool-making <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150114101528.htm">skills</a>, your guests may be able to handily carve up the turkey or roast using a stone or bone instrument.
Conversation starters
Neanderthals were quite social. They often had a nuclear family and lived in a close-knit community of hunter-gatherers, and they were intimately in touch with their surroundings. So be sure to ask about kids, parents, and friends. Questions about outdoor activities are okay, too!

<h6>8. Launching 23andMe+®</h6>
Many of our customers wanted more ways to engage in their genetics journey. So in 2020, we introduced <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+</a>, a new annual membership that provides exclusive access to genetic reports, as well as new reports and features as they become available. 

<h6>9. Contributing to COVID-19 research</h6>
We launched a large-scale<a href="https://medical.23andme.com/23andme-engages-its-millions-of-research-participants-to-study-covid-19/"> research study</a> of more than a million 23andMe customers as part of the global response to COVID-19. Through their participation, our researchers were able to quickly make<a href="https://medical.23andme.com/23andme-finds-evidence-that-blood-type-plays-a-role-in-covid-19/"> new findings</a> and<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/covid-19-severity-calculator/"> build tools</a> to help advance our understanding of the virus.

<h6>10. Ringing in the next chapter </h6>
Anne rang the bell to the Nasdaq exchange on June 17, 2021, marking our first day trading as a public company. Her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTTnn2QLWWA">celebratory remarks</a> provided a glimpse into the future:
“23andMe is more than just a genetics company. We are an activist brand that is approaching health care and drug discovery with the individual at the center, as our partner. We are going to continue pioneering a consumer-centered personalized health care world. We are going to show that drug discovery can be more efficient when you start with a human genetic insight.”
[vc_video link=&#8221;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTTnn2QLWWA&#8221; el_aspect=&#8221;916&#8243;]
<h6>11. DNA enters the cultural conversation</h6>
We knew we had arrived when a famous singer, dancer, songwriter, and flutist dressed up as a<a href="https://twitter.com/23andMe/status/1190299652941180928?s=20&amp;t=99fTMJyEprlwqLbHhDtYxw"> life-sized DNA test kit</a> for Halloween to reference an eponymous lyric in her hit song “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00HMxdsVZI">Truth Hurts</a>.”
Throughout the years, we’ve appeared in various corners of pop culture. We’ve been the punch line on the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ayIJed2dn4"> Late Show</a> and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYFfkBSo2mg&amp;t=2023s">public gift</a> for an award-winning musician. We’ve even shown up on an <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-and-you/23andmes-homage-to-jeopardy/">episode of a popular quiz show</a> when this clue was read to participants:
 “The “23” of 23andMe.com, a site tracing ancestry and personal genetic information, refers to pairs of these…”
 The answer? “What are chromosomes?”

<h6>12. Lemonaid joins the 23andMe team</h6>
We acquired <a href="https://www.lemonaidhealth.com">Lemonaid Health</a> in November 2021 as part of our commitment to make personalized healthcare a reality. Lemonaid, a telehealth and pharmacy company, focuses on delivering individualized, affordable care. Anne described the significance of the merger in an <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/23andme-to-acquire-lemonaid-health/">announcement</a>:
“We are acquiring Lemonaid Health so that we can bring true personalized healthcare to 23andMe customers. Personalized healthcare means healthcare that is based on the combination of your genes, your environment, and your lifestyle — with recommendations and plans that are specific to you.”

<h6>13. “What am I made of?”</h6>
We started 23andMe to make a difference in the lives of customers like Sheila, who connected with her birth mother and siblings after years of wondering, “What am I made of? What makes me, me?” 
Sheila called her reunion with family a gift. “This is a gift of family. What a blessing.”
[vc_video link=&#8221;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViLmlrqEC74&#8243;]
<h6>14. 23ME-00610</h6>
 Our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/therapeutics/pipeline/">therapeutics team</a> began <a href="https://investors.23andme.com/news-releases/news-release-details/23andme-initiates-phase-1-clinical-trial-first-wholly-owned">clinical trials</a> in early 2022 of our first drug developed entirely in-house. The drug, 23ME-00610, is an immune-oncology antibody aimed at treating tumors. The target for this antibody was identified using our proprietary genetic and health survey database.
“Our approach to drug discovery is driven by human genetics, and we have an incredibly large database from which to select and advance genetically validated targets more efficiently, and with a potentially higher probability of success, than traditional drug discovery methods currently allow,” explained Kenneth Hillan, our chief therapeutics officer.
“23ME-00610 is an exciting example of how we are translating our data into investigational therapeutics.

<h6>15. A culture of belonging</h6>
Blacks@, 23andShe, Femgineers, LGBTQ+, Neurodiversity, and 23andHear are just some of our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/diversity-equity-inclusion/">Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)</a>, which provide a place for employees with shared interests and experiences to gather and build community. 
Lauren Trusheim, a business analyst and member of 23andShe, shared what she loved about her group: 
“[23andShe] is a space for women to come together and learn from each other. Fostering a strong support system is essential for happiness and success both personally and professionally.”

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="889" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29736" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy.png 2000w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-300x133.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-768x341.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-1024x455.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-880x391.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-1180x525.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /></figure>
 
<h6>16. Celebrating – it’s in our DNA</h6>
Since day one, our employees (and their furry friends) have been at the core of everything we do. Here are a few photos from an internal celebration of our Sweet 16. 

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="889" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29737" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-2.png 2000w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-2-300x133.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-2-768x341.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-2-1024x455.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-2-880x391.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Copy-of-Copy-of-Lakshmi-copy-2-1180x525.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /></figure>

23andMe at 16

By Jodee Prouse
I believe nothing is more important than family. But what do I mean when I say family? For me, it’s about more than the DNA we share. A surprise in my 23andMe report only made that belief stronger. 
What all this means for me is complicated by the fact that I’m estranged from members of my own immediate family. My relationships with my dad, my mom, and my sister broke down due to alcoholism and continued unhealthy family patterns. 
Our problems with alcohol were deep, starting with my dad’s drinking, which led to my parent’s divorce when I was eight. And it was alcohol addiction and mental illness that took my brother Brett —who also happened to be my greatest friend— when he took his own life in 2012.
For many reasons, including my own happiness and well-being and that of my husband and our own two sons, I made the painful decision to continue to love my father, mother, and sister from afar. I ceased all contact with them more than ten years ago.
<h6>Looking at Family Connections</h6>
So why did I decide to use 23andMe and peer into the genetics that our family shares?
<div id="attachment_29684" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29684" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Jodee-her-brother-300x236.webp" alt="Jodee, as a young girl, and her baby brother Brett" width="300" height="236" class="size-medium wp-image-29684" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Jodee-her-brother-300x236.webp 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Jodee-her-brother.webp 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Jodee and her little brother Brett, soon after his birth.</div>
In part, it’s because I’m drawn to the idea of understanding more about my connections to generations past. I have always known about my dad’s side and their roots in England. But I knew little about my mother’s side of the family. Growing up, I only met my mom’s parents, her sister, and that sister’s children, my two cousins. I never met, nor did my mother mention any of her aunts, uncles, cousins, or even grandparents. They were a mystery to me.
After sending in my sample to 23andMe late last year, I was so eager to get the reports I felt like a kid waiting to open presents on Christmas morning. When I finally opened my reports, I was actually a little letdown. The results confirmed that my ancestry on both sides of the family was mostly British. I opted in and looked over my health reports, too, which were interesting, but the unexpected information didn’t come until later. 
<h6>A Shocking Discovery</h6>
Just a few weeks after those initial results, I got an email alerting me to a message. I had opted in to participate in DNA Relatives and someone with whom I shared DNA had sent me a message. I logged in to read it.
“Hey Jodee, My name’s James Dodds and 23andMe says that we may be half-siblings,” the message began. “My dad, Jim Dodds, was from Ponoka, Canada, so I am wondering if that’s the connection. He was born in 1946.”
I’d never heard the name “Dodds” before, but Ponoka is near where I live now, in Alberta, and  near where my mother was born and grew up. I was in complete shock. I responded within ten minutes. When I shared it with my husband that evening and with my two adult sons, now 29 and 31, they didn’t quite comprehend what it meant. I knew instantly. DNA doesn’t lie. I didn’t know how this happened, but I was confident that this man who messaged me, James Dodds, was my half-brother.
<h6>Coming to Terms</h6>
After the initial shock wore off, the emotions flooded in. I was inundated with random memories, like my dad saving me from drowning when, as a five-year-old, I had walked off the edge of a pier during summer vacation. And I remembered his family, my grandma’s loving face, and the big Christmas get-togethers with everyone at my house. My earliest memory is of looking inside eggs using a red light with his dad, my grandfather, when I was three or four. I remembered being the oldest grandchild among all my cousins. And I remembered my dad’s siblings—Uncle Les, Auntie Myrna, and Auntie Mary—all of whom have stood by me and supported me through my life’s journey, never judging or condemning me or taking sides when it came to my complicated relationship with my father. They have loved me unconditionally while loving their brother, too. I LOVE my family. They are my family.
My heart shattered thinking that might not be true anymore. I also wondered, how did this happen?
<h6>The Backstory</h6>
I knew my mother was pregnant when she married my father, and their marriage wasn’t blissful, but I wanted to know more. Though it had been a long time since we’d spoken, I sent her an email asking about her connection and relationship with Jim Dodds. 
I knew my email would come as a shock to her. So I waited for her response.The next morning she replied: 
“I dated someone with that name when I was 18.” 
This confirmed my initial instinct: Jim Dodds was my biological father.
I don’t think anyone would ever blame me if I was angry at my mother, but that’s not what I felt. Instead, I reached out to her to talk and we decided to meet face to face for the first time in almost a decade.    
My mother explained she had fallen in love with a bull rider, Jim Dodds. But she was so young and had already experienced trauma in her life. And she had a past relationship with my father. They had a daughter together four years before I was born, in 1964, and my mom had to give her up for adoption. When she got pregnant at 19, she broke things off with Jim and told him she was getting married without ever mentioning her pregnancy. She believed my dad was my biological father.
<h6>The Meaning of Family</h6>
I was devastated when I learned that my dad wasn’t my birth father. But I realized that family is so much more than being related by blood or sharing DNA. It is about being there for each other through the good times, and especially the bad. It is the relationships in our lives that provide a sense of security and belonging. It is the people that hold your heart gently in their hands. It is about feeling that you are in a safe space, no matter what you share. Family is about feeling valued, respected, and understood. It is being able to say you are sorry when someone says you hurt them.
I am incredibly blessed to have so many relationships like this in my life. And I’m not alone in that feeling. We live in a world where the definition of family has expanded. Children continue to be adopted, people get divorced and then remarried with blended families, foster parents care for children, and individuals pursue parenthood and family through routes like surrogacy and IVF. There are so many scenarios, and all of those people are no less loved, no less connected, and no less family than those that share DNA. The one crucial ingredient is love. I always knew this; it just took a few days to catch my breath and realize it.
Today, I am still processing this news. 
As much as my dad and I had our own challenges throughout the course of our lives, I loved him very much. I never wished for a different father. 
I also regret that my biological father Jim passed away in 2021 before we could meet. He will never know that I was born. He will never know his amazing grandsons.
Yet I’ve realized that if this hadn’t been kept a secret, my life wouldn’t have been enriched by the people I love most. So, as hard as it has been to work through all of my emotions about this revelation, I feel my life is as it should be.
I would never want to alter the course of fate. I love my family and was always meant to be Brett’s sister.

Jodee, as a young girl, and her baby brother Brett

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