Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson's petition to include Spinal Muscular Atrophy in UK newborn screening has surpassed 35,000 signatures, forcing the Government to respond. The 34-year-old launched the campaign after her twin daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster were diagnosed with the rare genetic condition SMA1.
Nelson announced the petition's launch on Instagram Thursday morning. «As you all know, I've been working hard to campaign for SMA to be added to the newborn screening heel-prick test here in the UK,» she wrote. «I'm so happy and proud to finally share that my petition is now live… Any support, shares or signatures would mean the world to me and to so many other families.»
The petition has already exceeded the 10,000-signature threshold that mandates an official government response. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, Parliament will be required to debate the issue.
Meeting with Health Secretary
Nelson met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting last month to discuss early detection of SMA. She told the Press Association earlier this year: «It has caused a lot of commotion and it's been amazing because the SMA community have been screaming and shouting about this for years, and it's never been taken seriously. I'm just really praying that it does eventually get changed sooner rather than later.»
SMA is a rare genetic condition that causes muscle weakness, movement problems, breathing and swallowing difficulties, muscle tremors, and bone and joint issues. Nelson's daughters, born prematurely in May, are unlikely to walk or regain neck strength. Currently, the heel prick test is offered to every baby at five days old but doesn't include SMA screening.
Documentary Launch
Nelson experienced complications during her pregnancy, including twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. This occurs when abnormal connecting blood vessels in the placenta lead to imbalanced blood flow between twins. Her pregnancy struggles and activism will be featured in a six-part Prime Video documentary series titled "Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix," launching Friday.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
