Global Down Syndrome Foundation Launches National Campaign “MILLION CLICK MARCH” on World Down Syndrome Day

Campaign Advocates for Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease Research by Driving Supporters to an Important Senate Hearing Video

Join The Million Click March

DENVER (March 21, 2014)– The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (Global) announced its first national advocacy campaign – the “MILLION CLICK MARCH” on World Down Syndrome Day.  The campaign advocates for more research benefiting people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease by driving supporters to an important segment of a recent Senate hearing video.

The video features Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins discussing how the NIH can help people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.  One hundred percent of people with Down syndrome have the brain pathology of Alzheimer’s disease although only an estimated 50 percent will develop dementia.

“This video is very important to people in our community who are concerned about research and improved medical care for people with Down syndrome,” said Michelle Sie Whitten, executive Director of Global.  “It also exemplifies the leadership of Senator Moran that makes us proud to honor him with Global’s Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award at our 2014 Be Beautiful Be Yourself DC Gala.”

The MILLION CLICK MARCH tagline is “Down Syndrome’s Got Muscle.”

“Down syndrome is one of the least-funded genetic conditions by the NIH.  The NIH, led by the NICHD, is working hard to change that, but the Down syndrome community needs to help by showing research and improved medical care is a priority, said Tom Blumenthal, executive director, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome.  “If we are able to get hundreds of thousands or a million people to view this video, it’s a strong statement this is a priority and clearly shows ‘Down Syndrome’s Got Muscle’!”

To join the Million Click March just click on the 1+ minute video.

About the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.  The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is a public nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education and advocacy.  Established in 2009, Global has the primary focus of supporting the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the first academic home in the U.S. committed to research and medical care for people with the condition. Fundraising and government advocacy that corrects the alarming disparity of national funding for people with Down syndrome is a major short-term goal. Global organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show – the single-largest annual fundraiser benefiting people with Down syndrome.  Global also organizes and funds many programs and conferences, including the Dare to Play Football and Cheer Camps, Global Down Syndrome Educational Series, and the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Class. Global is an inclusive organization without political or religious affiliation or intention.