Facebook Pixel tracker hidden image 2022 AcceptAbility Gala | Global Down Syndrome Foundation

2022 AcceptAbility Gala

AcceptAbility Gala Header Image

A fundraiser for the

GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION

funding life-changing research and life-saving medical care for children and
adults with Down syndrome

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
6:00 PM ET Cocktail Reception | 7:00 PM ET Performance & Program

Emcees

Kyra Phillips, Award-winning Journalist, ABC News
John Roberts, Co-Anchor of ‘America Reports with John Roberts & Sandra Smith,’ Fox News

2022 Honorees

Honoree Photo
Jonah Berger
2022 Ambassador
This is Jonah Berger. He is our son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew, friend, neighbor, student, and most of all, he is our teacher. When Jonah was born ten years ago, we didn’t know he would have Down syndrome. We didn’t know he would have hearing loss, and we didn’t know he would have Autism. But more than that, Jonah showed us all what we didn’t know about the world we live in. Through Jonah, we have learned that the world is both ableist and able to change; that people with disabilities and their allies have fought for the rights of people like Jonah and that there is still so much to fight for.
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Honoree Photo
Jonah Berger
2022 Ambassador
This is Jonah Berger. He is our son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew, friend, neighbor, student, and most of all, he is our teacher. When Jonah was born ten years ago, we didn’t know he would have Down syndrome. We didn’t know he would have hearing loss, and we didn’t know he would have Autism. But more than that, Jonah showed us all what we didn’t know about the world we live in. Through Jonah, we have learned that the world is both ableist and able to change; that people with disabilities and their allies have fought for the rights of people like Jonah and that there is still so much to fight for. Through Jonah, we have learned that there are so many more ways to communicate than the ones we thought we knew before he was born. We have learned to listen differently, to communicate differently, and we have learned that difference is what makes life beautiful. Jonah has taught us just how many ways there are to show love, to experience joy, and to express happiness. Jonah has taught us how to find peace at the ocean, pleasure in a blaring ambulance siren, the bottomless happiness of listening to the Beatles on repeat. He has taught us that just because Christmas is only one day on the calendar, it doesn’t mean you can’t listen to Christmas music all year long. He has taught us that it doesn’t matter what the world thinks, if it brings you joy, it brings you joy! He has taught us the absolute power of a hug, which he gives out generously and also orchestrates in others: just try to say goodbye to Jonah without him making you hug him AND someone else. He loves mayhem and mischief and has taught us to see humor in little moments we never noticed before. He has taught us the true meaning of hard work and perseverance, and the true meaning of bravery as he faces so many challenges and makes us so proud as he continues to learn, learn, and learn. From Jonah, we have learned that there are endless ways to love. He is so loved by so many, and we are all so lucky to know him.

We are so proud to celebrate Jonah as a GLOBAL Ambassador! Join us in supporting GLOBAL so all children with Down syndrome can reach their true potential!
Honoree Photo
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
2022 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipient
U.S. Senator Steve Daines is from the great State of Montana, and he is the founder and chair of the first ever Senate Pro-Life Caucus. Daines is a fifth generation Montanan and a father of four and grandpa to three!

Daines is a strong advocate for all Americans and believes all lives are precious and created with God-given dignity and potential, no matter how many chromosomes they may have. Daines is a champion for people with Down syndrome and their loved ones. For him, it’s personal. Daines’ close friends have a sweet baby boy named Andrew, who happens to have Down syndrome. Andrew brings light and joy to his family’s life every day, and the world would not be the same without him.
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Honoree Photo
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
2022 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipient
U.S. Senator Steve Daines is from the great State of Montana, and he is the founder and chair of the first ever Senate Pro-Life Caucus. Daines is a fifth generation Montanan and a father of four and grandpa to three!

Daines is a strong advocate for all Americans and believes all lives are precious and created with God-given dignity and potential, no matter how many chromosomes they may have. Daines is a champion for people with Down syndrome and their loved ones. For him, it’s personal. Daines’ close friends have a sweet baby boy named Andrew, who happens to have Down syndrome. Andrew brings light and joy to his family’s life every day, and the world would not be the same without him.

Legislatively, Daines is fighting to pass his bill, the “Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act,” to guard the lives of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome from lethal discrimination. Additionally, the Senator recently teamed up with his colleague across the aisle, Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), to introduce a bill to ensure that people with disabilities will never be paid below minimum wage.

Daines is also a proud supporter of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and honored to be a 2022 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipient.
Honoree Photo
Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
2022 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipient
As Colorado’s U.S. Senator, John Hickenlooper brings people together to address our nation's toughest problems — whether rebuilding a stronger, more resilient economy, lowering the costs of health care and prescription drugs, or combating climate change and protecting our public lands. He started his career in Colorado as a geologist before being laid off and opening the state's first brewpub. After successfully running a small business, Hickenlooper was elected Mayor of Denver and then Governor of Colorado, where he served for two terms from 2011-2019 and helped the state become the number one economy in the nation.
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Honoree Photo
Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
2022 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipient
As Colorado’s U.S. Senator, John Hickenlooper brings people together to address our nation's toughest problems — whether rebuilding a stronger, more resilient economy, lowering the costs of health care and prescription drugs, or combating climate change and protecting our public lands. He started his career in Colorado as a geologist before being laid off and opening the state's first brewpub. After successfully running a small business, Hickenlooper was elected Mayor of Denver and then Governor of Colorado, where he served for two terms from 2011-2019 and helped the state become the number one economy in the nation.

As Colorado’s 42nd Governor, Hickenlooper signed into law several important pieces of legislation to help improve the lives for individuals and families living with Down syndrome. He has helped raise awareness of issues of importance to the Down syndrome community by hosting GLOBAL’s World Down Syndrome Day celebrations at the Colorado Capitol building and he regularly participated in many other important events like the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020, he continues his work to increase federal funding for Down syndrome research and expand access to medical care in Washington, D.C.

Hickenlooper is honored to be a 2022 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipient and a proud supporter of GLOBAL and its mission to increase lifespan and improve health outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome.

2022 Special Guests

Special Guest Photo
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler
R-WA
Special Guest Photo
Senator
Roy Blunt
R-MO
Special Guest Photo
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
D-DC
Special Guest Photo
Congressman
Pete Stauber
R-MN
Special Guest Photo
Author & Advocate
Frank Stephens
Special Guest Photo
Olympic Medalist Elana Meyers Taylor

Thank You to Our 2022 Supporters

Top Billboard – $6,000

American Fuel & Petrochemical
Manufacturers
AT&T
The Blockchain Association
Bracewell LLP
Continental Resources
David Egan & Family
Discover Financial Services
HF Sinclair Corporation
H&R Block
JMA Solutions
Koch Industries
Mastercard
Merck
Narrative Strategies
Subject Matter
T-Mobile
Visa

 

Silver – $10,000

American Express
Comcast NBCUniversal
CTIA
Meta
Miller Strategies, LLC
The Mullen Family
Mythics
NCTA
Nike
PwC
Roberti Global
Frank Stephens,
GLOBAL Board Member
Williams & Jensen

 

Platinum – $25,000

Kroger
UnitedHealth Group
Valero

Gold – $15,000

PhRMA
Anna & John J. Sie
Foundation

AcceptAbility Gala Highlights

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 120 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 WorldTM 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).

By registering, attending, or viewing at any time the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s (the “Foundation”) AcceptAbility Gala event, or any reproductions, derivate works, or related content thereof (the “Event”), you agree to be bound by the following terms. You agree that the Event may contain copyrighted, trademarked or proprietary information or content protected by intellectual property or other laws. You agree to not instigate, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against the Foundation, or any other person, on the grounds that the Event infringes any intellectual property rights or related laws. The Foundation does not make any express or implied warranties, endorsements, or representations whatsoever as to the Event or its content. You agree that the Foundation shall in no event be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages arising directly or indirectly from the Event. You hereby grant the Fountain the right to record, film, live stream, photograph, or capture your likeness in any media in connection with the Event and to distribute, broadcast, or use such media without any further approval by or compensation to you. You agree to not record, rebroadcast, repost, retransmit, or reproduce the Event, any of its content, or any portion thereof without the express written permission of the Foundation. Any public sharing, redistribution, or reproduction of the Event or any portion thereof in any form is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the Foundation. The Foundation intends to pursue any and all remedies available to it under law or equity in response to any breach of these terms.

VIEW THE PROGRAM

GLOBAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2022 EVENT FACT SHEET

2022 GALA COMMITTEE

Jan Adams
President & CEO, JMA Solutions

Cory Alexander
Strategic Advisor, UnitedHealth Group

Kevin Brennan
Principal, Bluebird Strategies

David Egan
Advocate & Author

Natalie Farr
Government Relations, Subject Matter

Erin Book Mullen
Principal, Williams & Jensen, PLLC

Matthew Perin
Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, Kroger

Cliff Riccio
Senior Vice President & Chief, Government Relations, NCTA

Julie Riccio
Director, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, PwC

Frank Stephens
Author, Actor, and Advocate

Marissa Watkins
Deputy Vice President, Advocacy and Strategic Alliances, PhRMA

Amy Best Weiss
Vice President, Head of U.S. Government Affairs, American Express

Salo Zelermyer
Vice President for Federal Affairs and Counsel, Valero

2022 CONGRESSIONAL HOSTS

Senator Roy Blunt
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos
Congressman Tom Cole
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Congressman Pete Sessions
Congressman Pete Stauber

2022 HONORARY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE

Congressman Don BaconCongressman Troy BaldersonSenator Michael F. Bennet
Congresswoman Stephanie Bice
Senator Marsha Blackburn
Congressman Mike Bost
Congressman Anthony G. Brown
Congressman Michael C Burgess, MD
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Senator Bob Casey
Congressman David N. Cicilline
Congressman Gerald E. ConnollyCongressman Jim CostaCongressman Jason Crow
Senator Ted Cruz
Senator Steve Daines
Congresswoman Diana DeGette
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene
Congresswoman Deborah Dingell
Congressman Jake Ellzey
Congressman Tom Emmer
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher
Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler
Senator John Hickenlooper
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith
Congressman Darrell Issa
Congressman Mike Kelly
Congressman Darin LaHoodCongressman Doug Lamborn
Congressman Robert E. LattaCongresswoman Barbara LeeSenator Roger Marshall, MD
Republican Leader Kevin McCarthyCongressman Donald McEachin
Congressman Patrick McHenry
Congresswoman Grace MengCongressman Barry MooreSenator Jerry Moran
Senator Chris MurphyCongressman Joe Neguse
Delegate Amata Coleman RadewagenCongressman Guy Reschenthaler
Senator Marco RubioCongressman Tim RyanCongressman Adam Schiff
Congressman Bryan Steil
Congressman Glenn ThompsonCongresswoman Dina TitusCongressman David Trone
Senator Chris Van Hollen
Senator Raphael WarnockSenator Elizabeth Warren
Senator Roger F. Wicker

2022 LIVE AUCTION DONORS

Jan Adams
Monumental Sports
The Mullen Family
The Whitten Family

 

ACCEPTABILITY GALA MEDIA

Press Contact:
Anca Elena Call
Email: acall@globaldownsyndrome.org
Cell: 720-320-3832

Global Down Syndrome Foundation Funding for Alzheimer’s Research Results in Milestone Clinical Trial for People with Down Syndrome

Watch Frank Stephens’ Congressional Testimony

GLOBAL Applauds House Appropriations Subcommittee for Approving $15 Million Increase for NIH INCLUDE Initiative Related Down Syndrome Research as Part of FY2022 Budget