Archive for 2021

BRENTWOOD, MO and DENVER, CO – November 18, 2021 – Today, Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DSAGSL) announced that Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s President & CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten, will be honored with the organization’s Shining Star Award at their upcoming 45^th Anniversary Gala.

The theme of the event is ”A Night With the Stars,” and it will celebrate DSAGSL’s 45 years of serving families and individuals with Down syndrome in the greater St. Louis area throughout every stage of life. The gala will include a presentation of awards to Michelle and four other pioneers of Down syndrome advocacy, a variety show, music, local food and drinks, an exciting auction, and other great surprises.

“DSAGSL is thrilled to be able to honor Michelle Sie Whitten and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation,” says Erin Suelmann, Executive Director, Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis. “GLOBAL has been there for us with Education Grants, Employment Grants, COVID Emergency Relief, and of course their adult guidelines.”

“On behalf of GLOBAL and our affiliates, I am honored to receive this award from Erin Suelmann and our friends at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis,” says Michelle. “The work they do makes such an impact locally and we are proud to partner with them nationally on our GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome.

Virtual tickets are available for $25 and in-person tickets are $150. To register for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis 45^th Anniversary Gala, visit dsagsl.org/events/gala/

To learn more about the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, visit https://dsagsl.org/

To learn more about the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, visit www.globaldownsyndrome.org

To learn more about becoming a GLOBAL member, visit https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/global-membership/

About Global Down Syndrome Foundation

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL has donated more than $32 million to establish the first Down syndrome research institute supporting over 400 scientists and over 2,000 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and medical care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 150 Down syndrome organizations worldwide and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, and the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

GLOBAL’s widely circulated medical publications include GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal Testing and Information about Down Syndrome, and the award-winning Down Syndrome World^TM magazine. GLOBAL also organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit globaldownsyndrome.org and follow us on social media (Facebook & Twitter: @GDSFoundation, Instagram: @globaldownsyndrome).

About Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis

The mission of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DSAGSL) is to serve, support, and celebrate the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families, through every stage of life. Our vision is for an inclusive community where all people with Down syndrome can achieve their full potential. DSAGSL serves nearly 2,000 individuals with Down syndrome and their families through Family Support programs, small steps, next steps, and steps to independence programs, employment programming, and Silver Steps programs. DSAGSL advocates, educates and celebrates with communities in St. Louis and surrounding areas, including across the river in Illinois and as far south as Cape Girardeau and Springfield, Missouri.

Press Contacts                                                                            

Anca Call                                                           Abigail Beckord Bosslet
acall@globaldownsyndrome.org                       abigail@dsagsl.org
c: (720) 320-3832                                              c: (314) 833-7560

GLOBAL’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show Raised $1.9 million and attracted over 2,500 attendees from 40 states and 14 countries

DENVER – Nov. 14, 2021 – Last night, Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) raised over $1.9 million at their annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the world’s largest fundraiser for people Down syndrome. The event has raised a cumulative $24 million.

Held virtually on Saturday, November 13, 2021, the award-winning event attracted over 2,500 viewers from 40 states and 14 countries. The takeaway message was a powerful one – with appropriate funding and more medical centers, we can and will elongate life and improve health outcomes for our loved ones with Down syndrome.

Missed the event? It’s not too late to get involved! Watch video highlights from the show!

Over thirty Hollywood and Sports Celebrities zoomed into the event which included 27 beautiful models, 4 honorees, a loving tribute to GLOBAL Ambassador DeOndra Dixon, and shouts outs to Music Legend Quincy Jones and GLOBAL’s generous sponsors.

The event was emceed by award-winning journalists Kyra Phillips and John Roberts and featured 2021 GLOBAL Ambassadors Archie and Sevy Eicher, and Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awardees, NFL Hall of Famer & San Francisco 49ers  General Manager John Lynch, and Peruvian public servant Bryan Russell Mujica.

Other notables included Music Legend Quincy Jones, supermodels Beverly Johnson and Amanda Booth, model Marián Ávila, actress and model Peyton List, actress Miranda May, award-winning actors John C. McGinley, Zack Gottsagen, Jamie Brewer, Megan Bomgaars and Grey’s Anatomy star Caterina Scorsone, award-winning TV host Jeff Probst, R&B power couple Ronnie & Shamari DeVoe, Denver Broncos Brandon McManus, Justin Simmons, and Sam Martin, Buffalo Bills Harrison Phillips, Colorado Rapids Kellyn Acosta, former Colorado Rockies Ryan Spilborghs and Cory Sullivan, TV anchors Tom Green and Kim Christiansen, golfer Brad Hennefer, inspirational speaker Tim Harris, and author and advocate Frank Stephens. Full celebrity line-up: HERE.

“GLOBAL’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show never fails to impress. Once again, Michelle and GLOBAL have outdone themselves. But it’s not only a fabulous evening, it also has a powerful message and highlights GLOBAL’s game-changing work,” said John C. McGinley, GLOBAL board member and father to Max, who happens to have Down syndrome.

“People with Down syndrome are still at high risk for COVID-19 so it was only right to hold our event virtually again this year. We are especially grateful for the unconditional support and the love from of our dedicated community, celebrities, partners, members, and our clinicians and scientists”, said Michelle Sie Whitten, GLOBAL’s President and CEO. “Tonight, thousands of us got to truly celebrate how we are making a tangible difference together. It was awe-inspiring!”

“It is such a great honor to receive GLOBAL’s Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award. It will empower me to continue to work hard for the rights of individuals with Down syndrome in Peru and all over the world,” said Bryan Russell Mujica.

A highlight of the evening was the world-premiere of Delta Spirit’s new single, “What’s Done is Done,” featuring actors Zack Gottsagen, star of the breakout film The Peanut Butter Falcon and Jamie Brewer, award winning actress from American Horror Story. This is the first music video to star people with Down syndrome.

GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, songwriter, actress, author, and philanthropist Sara Bareilles wowed the audience with her iconic hits “Brave” and “I Choose You.” She also shared the personal story of her uncle Brian, with whom she was very close to and who happened to have Down syndrome.

Matthew Morrison, Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe nominated artist, and beloved Glee and Broadway star, performed live during the VIP reception and answered questions from self-advocates.

The Fashion Show also paid tribute to the late DeOndra Dixon, the beloved sister of Jamie Foxx who tragically passed away last year. GLOBAL continues to honor her memory through the DeOndra Dixon Down Syndrome Research Fund, which raises funds to address medical care and healthcare disparity outcomes for African Americans with Down syndrome.

The fashion show would not be possible without the generosity of GLOBAL’s Leadership Circle, sponsors, Ambassadors, Q-Awardees, models, Down syndrome partner organizations, celebrities, self-advocates and families.

During the pandemic, GLOBAL provided COVID-19 GLOBAL Emergency Relief Grants to over 200 individuals with Down syndrome and their families, and delivered 30,000 pieces of PPE to those with intellectual disabilities living in group and host homes; the COVID-19 & Down Syndrome Resource, created in collaboration with a consortium of national organizations, was updated to include information on the Delta variant and boosters.

To learn more about the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show or to donate, visit www.bebeautifulbeyourself.org 

To learn more about the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, visit www.globaldownsyndrome.org

About Global Down Syndrome Foundation

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL has donated more than $32 million to establish the first Down syndrome research institute supporting over 400 scientists and over 2,000 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and medical care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 150 Down syndrome organizations worldwide and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, and the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

GLOBAL’s widely circulated medical publications include GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal Testing and Information about Down Syndrome, and the award-winning Down Syndrome World^TM magazine. GLOBAL also organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit globaldownsyndrome.org and follow us on social media (Facebook & Twitter: @GDSFoundation, Instagram: @globaldownsyndrome).

Press Contacts                                                                            

Anca Call                                                          Ben Enyart
acall@globaldownsyndrome.org                      benyart@globaldownsyndrome.org
c: (720) 320-3832                                             c: (720) 548-5626