Latest News
2009 Walk for Awareness
The opening of the 2009 Walk for Awareness. Mayor Tony Issa cuts the ribbon
The new VCFS Brochure is here.
New VCFS 22q11 Website Launched!
Thursday 25 Feb 2010 - our new Fresh Look website went LIVE!
The VCFS and 22q11 Foundation supports families and persons affected by VCFS or Deletion 22q11.2
Click the image to watch the VCFS community Service Announcement. (click here to download real player)
Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) is a genetic syndrome. It is the result of a submicroscopic deletion on the long arm of Chromosome 22 in the “q11” region- deletion 22q11.
- VCFS affects approx. 1 in 2000 - 3000 persons making it the second most prevalent genetic syndrome after Down syndrome
- VCFS is the most common genetic syndrome associated with cleft palates
- VCFS is the second most common genetic syndrome associated with congenital heart defects
- 99% of the VCFS population will have a learning difficulty or disability
- 30% of the VCFS population will develop a mental illness
- VCFS has more than 180 annomolies associated with it
- The name velo cardio facial syndrome comes from the Latin words "velum" meaning palate, "cardio" meaning heart and "facies" having to do with the face.
VCFS is also known as:
- Deletion 22q11
- DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS)
- Shprintzen Syndrome
- CATCH 22
- Conotruncal anomaly face syndrome
- Cayler cardiofacial syndrome.
When a child's health problems are puzzling......
A missing piece of genetic material on chromosome 22 (deletion 22q11) may be the clue.






