Archive for June 20th, 2017

June 20, 2017, Denver  | Global Down Syndrome Foundation (Global) is committed to protecting and advancing lifesaving and life-changing medical care and research that will significantly improve the health outcomes and quality of life for people with Down syndrome.

To this end, we are asking our families, friends and supporters to contact your Representatives today and urge Congress to work with our President to restore or increase federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year 2018. We are thrilled to have many of our national and international colleagues join Global in this ask: the National Down Syndrome Congress; LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation; Down Syndrome Affiliates In Action; International Down Syndrome Coalition; and the International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association.

Our Down syndrome community is made up of people from every background and political party. And our community deeply appreciates the leadership of our Republican and Democratic friends and allies in Congress in their effort to advocate for increased federal funding for the NIH, which conducts important research on Down syndrome and many other diseases and conditions that affect people with Down syndrome. Together, we want to make sure that the NIH continues to have sufficient funding to carry out its work, including Down syndrome research that is just beginning to regain momentum after two decades of flat funding.

Thanks to the dismantling of inhumane institutions where most people with Down syndrome were placed and increased access to medical care and local public schools, people with Down syndrome are living longer than ever: life expectancy has more than doubled from 25 years in 1983 to almost 60 years today. While this is encouraging, it also presents new challenges to ensure that people with Down syndrome receive the appropriate medical care they deserve throughout their lives. While people with Down syndrome are protected from certain solid tumor cancers, heart attacks and strokes, they are at higher risk for other diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, certain blood cancers, and immune disorders. About 30% of people with Down syndrome also experience mental illnesses such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and conduct disorder, a rate which is notably higher than the general population.

Clearly, additional federal research is needed to advance our understanding of why people with Down syndrome are predisposed to certain ailments and protected from others. This will help us to understand and apply the best medical care for people with Down syndrome and also stands to help treat or cure the most prevalent diseases found in this population such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and cancer.

Please contact your Representatives today and urge Congress to work with our President to restore or increase federal funding for the NIH in fiscal year 2018. It is not only imperative for the well-being of people with Down syndrome, but all Americans!

Sample Message:

“Hi. My name is _________ and I live in [Hometown, State].

I’m a volunteer and advocate for people with Down syndrome. I am deeply concerned regarding our government’s budget request that would drastically cut to federal funding for the National Institutes of Health in fiscal year 2018. I am urging Representative __________ to oppose these proposed cuts and instead to increase funding for NIH. This support will advance lifesaving and life-changing scientific research that will significantly improve the health outcomes and quality of life for people with Down syndrome.

Please restore and increase funding for NIH. It is not only imperative for the well-being of people with Down syndrome, but all Americans!

Thank you.”