Foundation Makes History with Inaugural Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award

Denver, CO (September 22, 2009) – On Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation will make history by presenting the inaugural Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award to Music Icon Quincy Jones at the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Jet Set Fashion Show.

The award, a crystal oval stand, is designed by Tiffany & Co.  Each year the award will recognize a celebrity who has shown exceptional philanthropic leadership and who has empowered people with developmental disabilities.  Michelle Sie Whitten, Executive Director of the Global Foundation appreciates the opportunity, “Our children with developmental disabilities, especially Down syndrome, are often swept under the rug.  With Quincy’s generous support and this award, we are able to provide a special thanks to busy celebrities who have taken time to understand our children and to shine a light on their contributions and brilliance in this world.”

Singer-songwriter Josh Kelley who will perform a special selection of songs immediately following the fashion show.

This year’s fashion show will highlight Guest Models Hanna Atkinson, Steve Ballard, Alan Beals, Megan Bomgaars, Ronald Ray Brewer Jr., Yadira Mariel Carrillo, Brianna Cordova, Michael Dilworth, Abigail Frary, Channing Jenkins, Dennis Johns, Connor Long, Carol Rachel Lopez-Garcia, Thomas Malone, Chuntelle Milton, Donene Mumaw. Ted Polito, Eliza Richard, Sidney Robertson, Christopher Rodriguez-Benitez, Alexandra Shankle, Jacob Stapel, Noah Stokes, Ava Vincent, and Sarah Wells.

The Guest Models will be escorted down the runway with our own local celebrities – 2009 Miss Colorado Katie Layman, David Duval, John Lynch, Ed McCaffrey, and Billy Van Heusen.

The Be Beautiful Be Yourself Jet Set Fashion Show fundraiser aims to raise over $1 million – believed to be the largest ever single fundraiser for Down syndrome – and sell out at the Hyatt with 1,200 seats. Expect to see Down syndrome representatives from the UK,  Canada, San Diego, Kansas City, and New York as well as friends from Los Angeles, Santa Fe, Cincinnati, Miami, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix.

Notable Coloradans supporting the event include Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. & First Lady Jeannie Ritter, Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper & Helen Thorpe,  Anna & John J. Sie, Ricki Perry Rest & David Rest, Sharon Magness Blake & Ernie Blake, Mike & Amber Fries, Suzanne Arkle Wilson & M. Roy Wilson, Peter & Bonnie Kudla, Laura Barton & William Matthews, Donald & Susan Sturm, Jordon & Essie Perlmutter, Robin Chotin, Steven Chotin, Dr. Dean Prina, Jack & Pat McDonnell, Debbi & Lee Alpert, Cookie & Lester Gold, Susan & Randy Karsh, Shereen & Michael Pollack, Larry & Carol Mizel, Norm & Sunny Brownstein, and Steve & Cindy Farber.

2009 marks the 50^th anniversary of identifying the genetic cause of Down syndrome. Down syndrome is the most frequent chromosomal disorder in the United States accounting for 1 in 733 live births.  There are over 400,000 people in the US and millions worldwide with the condition.  Despite the frequency it is the least funded genetic condition by the National Institutes of Health.  In 2008 Down syndrome accounted for just 0.0006 of its $28 billion budget.

The Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome aims to eradicate the ill effects associated with Down syndrome and significantly improve the lives of people with Down syndrome throughout the world.  The Institute is named in memory of Dr. Linda Crnic, in honor of her unwavering dedication to people with Down syndrome through translational research.  Crnic, who died tragically in a bicycle accident in 2004, was a Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Director of the Colorado Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Center.

The inspiration for the establishment of the Linda Crnic Institute is Sophia Kay Whitten, the granddaughter of Anna and John J. Sie, who happens to have Down syndrome.  Through the largest private contribution dedicated to people with Down syndrome in the world, the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation’s commitment of $22 million, and the Sie’s commitment to raise another $12 million ensures the Institute will be a global beacon for research and care.

The Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome is the first national organization to house basic research, clinical research and clinical care for people with Down syndrome under one umbrella.  The Institute is a collaboration between the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Colorado Denver and The Children’s Hospital.  It is located on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado and is the beneficiary of the proceeds from the October 10 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Jet Set Fashion Show.

Tickets are on sale now for the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Jet Set Fashion Show on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. For more information or tickets, call Diana Moore at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation at 303-468-6663 or visit www.coloradojetset.com.

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