Linda Crnic Institute
for Down Syndrome
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation provides fundraising, education, awareness and government advocacy for the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome.
Established in 2008, the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome is the first academic home for Down syndrome research in the United States. The mission of the Crnic Institute is to significantly improve the lives of people with Down syndrome by eradicating the medical and cognitive ill effects associated with the condition.
Learn more about the Linda Crnic Institute.
Experience our inspirational and groundbreaking videos and photos. Our children and self-advocates are beautiful AND brilliant!
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Keep up with government advocacy, medical and research news, upcoming programs, events and educational conferences.
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Discover moreJoin the Global Down Syndrome Foundation Cycling Team for the Denver Century Ride!
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Discover moreJustice for Ethan? Death of Robert Ethan Saylor raises human rights questions
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Discover more$1.2 million in Down syndrome-Alzheimer's disease research grants to be awarded in 2013!
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Discover moreMark your calendars! July 18-21, the NDSC Convention will be in DENVER
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Discover moreMeet our Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipients
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Discover moreMeet Katherine Vollbracht Winfield - a Global Down Syndrome Foundation Ambassador
Research News
The Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome awarded $1.3 million to 14 inaugural recipients of the Crnic Grand Challenge Grants. The grant recipients were chosen based on the strength of the science and the likelihood the science would lead to improving outcomes for people with Down syndrome.The Crnic Grand Challenge Grants program was established earlier this year by Tom Blumenthal, Ph.D., executive director of the Crnic Institute. The grants are available to scientists from the University of Colorado system and were awarded to researchers from various disciplines at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
The innovative science will investigate immune disorders, sleep apnea, certain leukemias, and Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome.
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, and the Alzheimer’s Association launched a research initiative to better understand the development of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with Down syndrome and translate the research into improved treatments for people at risk to develop Alzheimer’s.
The organizations are making $1.2 million available and have issued a Request for Applications. Letters of intent must be received by February 1, 2013, and applications must be received by March 1, 2013.
This innovative funding initiative grew out of a groundbreaking September 2012 workshop.
To further research in this area, the Crnic Institute recently hired renowned Alzheimer’s scientist Dr. Huntington Potter, whose research has contributed to the understanding of the mechanistic relationship between Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome.
Blog
Nine-time Grammy-winner Sheryl Crow will perform at the 2013 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala. The high-style fashion show and fundraiser taking place at the Ritz Carlton Washington D.C. on May 8. The event will also feature celebrities including CNN’s Kyra Phillips and Fox News’ John Roberts, and members of Congress. The gala is designed to raise awareness about Down syndrome and will honor U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen with the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award for their support of those with disabilities.
At the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, we believe the discrimination against people with Down syndrome in this country is rooted in the historical lack of human and civil rights for people who are differently-abled. We support and applaud the National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society working with Robert Ethan Saylor’s family and the Department of Justice to ensure Ethan’s death is not forgotten and to ensure similar unnecessary deaths are prevented in the future. Below is a joint statement with several other Down syndrome organizations addressing this tragedy.
But there is still a burning question.
The Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome will co-host the “Workshop on Cognition in Down Syndrome – Molecular, Cellular and Behavioral Features and the Promise of Pharmacotherapies” April 13-15 in Washington, D.C. The workshop will bring top scientists together to share discoveries and explore collaborations with the aim to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome.
Katheleen Gardiner, Ph.D., a professor at the Crnic Institute and the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, is the workshop’s organizer. This is the third international workshop she has organized on Down syndrome and the biology of chromosome 21.
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s 2013 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show will be on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel. We are looking for people with Down syndrome who want to be models in the fashion show to come to auditions on Friday, May 24, 2013!
No experience is necessary! Auditions are open to individuals 7 and older, and potential models are asked to dress nice — no jeans, T-shirts, flip-flops, etc.
Register now!