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GLOBAL’s AcceptAbility Gala

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A fundraiser for the

GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION

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

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

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

Emcees

Kyra Phillips, Award-winning Anchor/Correspondent, ABC News
John Roberts, Co-Anchor of “America Reports with John Roberts & Sandra Smith”, Fox News

2026 Honorees

Honoree Photo
Crystal Muro
2026 Ambassador
Crystal Muro lives in Orange County, California with her mom, thanks to a very important decision her parents made when she was born. While California's Lanterman Act of 1969 ensured the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities to community-based care, Steve and Pia Muro were encouraged to consider committing Crystal to a state hospital when she was born. They knew immediately that their only option was to bring home their newborn and fully embrace her as a member of their loving family.
Honoree Photo
Shelley Moore Capito
2026 Quincy Jones Advocacy Awardee
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) has dedicated her life to serving West Virginia and advancing policies that strengthen families across the state. As Chair of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, she has championed increased funding for NIH Down syndrome research and is a cosponsor of the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act (S. 1838), reinforcing her commitment to improving health outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome.
Honoree Photo
Paul Tonko
2026 Quincy Jones Advocacy Awardee
Congressman Paul Tonko, who has represented New York’s 20th congressional district since 2009, is a longtime friend and supporter of the Down syndrome community. He is a senior member of the powerful House Energy and Commerce and Budget committees.

2026 AcceptAbility Gala Special Guests

Special Guest Photo
Emmy Award-winning multi-platinum artist; singer; songwriter
Special Guest Photo
Gala Emcee; Award-winning Anchor/Correspondent, ABC News
Special Guest Photo
Gala Emcee; Co-Anchor of “America Reports with John Roberts & Sandra Smith”, Fox News
Special Guest Photo
Congressman
Special Guest Photo
Congresswoman
Special Guest Photo
Host, The Chuck ToddCast & Former Moderator of Meet the Press
Special Guest Photo
Author, Actor & Advocate
Special Guest Photo
Principal, Williams & Jensen, PLLC
Special Guest Photo
Author, Advocate & Speaker

Thank You to Our 2026 Supporters

Top Billboard
The Ashbrook Family
Avoq
David Egan & Family
The Emry Family
Natalie & Guy Harrison
Highland Electric Fleets
Valero
Visa
The Whitten Family

Silver
Anna & John J. Sie Foundation 
NCTA – The Internet & Television Association

 

Platinum
PhRMA

Gold
American Express

 

 

2025 Highlights

2025 Photos – Step & Repeat

2025 Photos – Program 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 2,700 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 110 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.

ROSA DELAURO AND TOM COLE GLOBAL ADVANCEMENT AWARDS – Apply Today!

FACT SHEET

GLOBAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

SPONSORSHIP PLEDGE FORM

2026 GALA BOARD

Jan Adams
Founder & CEO, JMA Solutions 

John Ashbrook
Founding Partner, Cavalry LLC

Kevin Brennan
Principal, Bluebird Strategies

Pat DiFrancesco
Vice President, Advanced Advocacy

Emilie Eager
Director of Business Development, Julie Parker Communications

David Egan
Author, Advocate & Speaker

Felicia Emry,
Life Skills Director, Heaven on Earth NOW 

Natalie Farr Harrison
SVP, Government Relations, Avoq

Guy Harrison
Partner, OnMessage, Inc.

Liz Mahar
Deputy Vice President, Advocacy and Strategic Alliances, PhRMA

Erin Book Mullen
Principal, Williams & Jensen, PLLC

Matthew Perin
Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, Kroger

Cliff Riccio
Sr. Vice President & Chief, Government Relations, NCTA

Julie Riccio
Director, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, PwC

Frank Stephens
Author, Actor & Advocate 

Richard Waysdorf
Legal Consultant, Global Down Syndrome Foundation

Amy Best Weiss
Executive Vice President, Global Government Affairs, American Express

Michelle Sie Whitten
President & CEO, Global Down Syndrome Foundation 

2026 CONGRESSIONAL HOSTS

Congressman Robert Aderholt
Congresswoman Katherine Clark
Congressman Tom Cole
Senator Steve Daines
Congresswoman Diana DeGette
Congresswoman Lois Frankel
Senator John Hickenlooper
Congressman Richard Hudson
Senator Jerry Moran
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
Congressman Pete Stauber

2026 HONORARY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE

Congressman Jake Auchincloss
Congressman Don Bacon
Congressman Ami Bera
Congressman Don Beyer
Congresswoman Julia Brownley
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski
Congressman Sean Casten
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Congressman  Neal Dunn
Congressman Gabe Evans
Congresswoman Valerie Foushee
Congressman Andrew Garbarino
Congressman Lance Gooden
Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva
Congressman Michael Guest

Congresswoman Erin Houchin
Congressman Steny Hoyer
Congresswoman Val Hoyle
Congressman Mike Kelly
Congresswoman Young Kim
Congressman George Latimer
Congressman Joseph Morelle
Senator Chris Murphy
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
Congressman Scott Peters
Congressman Mark Pocan
Congresswoman Amata Radewagen
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Congressman Jamie Raskin
Congresswoman Mary Scanlon
Congressman Bradley Schneider
Congresswoman Hillary Scholten
Congressman Austin Scott
Congressman Shri Thanedar
Congressman Marc Veasey
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Congressman James Walkinshaw
Congressman Rob Wittman

2026 EXCLUSIVE ENTERTAINMENT


Robert Wallop
Rachel Platten
RhythmXpress

2026 IN-KIND DONORS
Barnhart Press
Blueberry Shoes Productions
Georgetown Cupcakes
Harris Teeter
Molson Coors

2026 LIVE AUCTION DONORS
The Emry Family
The Whitten Family

ACCEPTABILITY GALA MEDIA

Press Contact:

Shawn Flaherty
Email: shawn_flaherty@creativestratpr.com
Cell: 703-554-3609

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

Bipartisan Congressional Members & Celebrities to Champion Down Syndrome Research in DC

Join Headliners Phillip Phillips & Tucker Emry at GLOBAL’S AcceptAbility Gala in DC!

Singer Jordin Sparks Performs and Rep. Frankel and Rep. Hudson Honored at Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s May 9th AcceptAbility Gala in DC

Important NIH INCLUDE Legislation Aimed at Increasing Lifespan and Dramatically Improving Health Outcomes for People with Down Syndrome Introduced by GLOBAL Champion, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers

CELEBS AND CONGRESS STEP UP FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN DC!

GLOBAL Applauds Congress for $15 million Increase for NIH Down Syndrome/INCLUDE Research Initiative in Recently Passed Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill

Watch Frank Stephens’ Congressional Testimony

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