Picha iliyofichwa ya tracker ya Facebook Pixel GLOBAL'Gala ya Kukubalika | Global Down Syndrome Foundation

GLOBAL ya Kukubalika 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

Picha ya Honoree
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.
Picha ya Honoree
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.
Picha ya Honoree
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

Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Emmy Award-winning multi-platinum artist; singer; songwriter
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Gala Emcee; Award-winning Anchor/Correspondent, ABC News
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Gala Emcee; Co-Anchor of “America Reports with John Roberts & Sandra Smith”, Fox News
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Award-Winning Actress
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Representative
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Representative
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Host, The Chuck ToddCast & Former Moderator of Meet the Press
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Emmy Award-winning News Anchor & Podcast Host, Agents of Tech
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Author, Actor & Advocate
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Principal, Williams & Jensen, PLLC
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Author, Advocate & Speaker
Picha ya Mgeni Maalum
Representative

Thank You to Our 2026 Supporters

Top Billboard
ACT for NIH Foundation
Familia ya Ashbrook
Avoq
Theresa Brogan & Family
Charter Communications
David Egan na Familia
The Emry Family
Koch Government Affairs
Natalie & Guy Harrison
Highland Electric Fleets
Mikakati ya Simulizi
OnMessage, Inc.
The Stephens Family
Valero
Visa
Familia ya Whitten

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

 

Platinum
PhRMA

Gold
Altria
American Express
Intuit
Kroger
Familia ya Mullen

 

 

2025 Highlights

2025 Photos – Step & Repeat

2025 Photos – Program Highlights

Kuhusu 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 40 states and 11 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.

Machapisho ya matibabu yanayosambazwa sana ya GLOBAL ni pamoja na Mwongozo wa GLOBAL wa Huduma ya Kimatibabu kwa Watu Wazima wenye Ugonjwa wa Kupungua, Upimaji wa kabla ya kuzaa na Habari kuhusu Down Syndrome, na mshindi wa tuzo Ulimwengu wa Down SyndromeTM gazeti. GLOBAL pia inaandaa Kuwa Mrembo Uwe Mwenyewe Onyesho la Mitindo, mchangishaji mkubwa zaidi wa ugonjwa wa Down ulimwenguni. Tembelea globaldownsyndrome.org na utufuate kwenye mitandao ya kijamii (Facebook & Twitter: @GDSFoundation, Instagram: @globaldownsyndrome).

Kwa kusajili, kuhudhuria, au kutazama wakati wowote tukio la Kukubalika la Global Down Syndrome Foundation (“Msingi”) wa Gala ya Kukubalika, au nakala zozote, kazi zinazotokana, au maudhui yake yanayohusiana (“Tukio”), unakubali kufungwa na masharti yafuatayo. Unakubali kwamba Tukio hili linaweza kuwa na maelezo yaliyo na hakimiliki, alama ya biashara au umiliki au maudhui yanayolindwa na haki miliki au sheria nyinginezo. Unakubali kutochochea, kudumisha, au kuidhinisha hatua yoyote, madai, au kesi dhidi ya Foundation, au mtu mwingine yeyote, kwa misingi kwamba Tukio linakiuka haki zozote za uvumbuzi au sheria zinazohusiana. The Foundation haitoi dhamana yoyote ya wazi au inayodokezwa, ridhaa, au uwakilishi wowote kuhusu Tukio au maudhui yake. Unakubali kwamba Foundation haitawajibikia uharibifu wowote wa moja kwa moja, usio wa moja kwa moja, wa bahati nasibu, wa matokeo au wa mfano utakaotokana moja kwa moja au isivyo moja kwa moja na Tukio. Kwa hivyo unaipa Chemchemi haki ya kurekodi, filamu, kutiririsha moja kwa moja, kupiga picha, au kunasa mfano wako katika media yoyote inayohusiana na Tukio na kusambaza, kutangaza, au kutumia midia bila idhini yoyote zaidi au fidia kwako. Unakubali kutorekodi, kutangaza tena, kuchapisha tena, kusambaza tena, au kutoa tena Tukio, maudhui yake yoyote, au sehemu yake yoyote bila idhini ya maandishi ya Foundation. Ushiriki wowote wa umma, ugawaji upya, au unakilishwaji wa Tukio au sehemu yake yoyote kwa namna yoyote ni marufuku kabisa bila idhini ya maandishi ya Foundation. The Foundation inakusudia kutafuta suluhu zozote na zote zinazopatikana kwake chini ya sheria au usawa katika kukabiliana na ukiukaji wowote wa masharti haya.

ROSA DELAURO NA TOM COLE GLOBAL ADVANCEMENT AWARDS

VOLUNTEER

FACT SHEET

MAFANIKIO YA KIMATAIFA

NAFASI ZA UDHAMINI

SPONSORSHIP PLEDGE FORM

2026 CHAIR

Tracy Watkins
Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired), Partner at Kearney & Company

2026 GALA BOARD CHAIR

Erin Kitabu Mullen
Mkuu, Williams & Jensen, PLLC

2026 GALA BOARD

Jan Adams
Mwanzilishi & Mkurugenzi Mtendaji, JMA Solutions 

John Ashbrook
Mshirika Mwanzilishi, Cavalry LLC

Kevin Brennan
Mkuu, Mikakati ya Bluebird

Pat DiFrancesco
Vice President, Advanced Advocacy

Emilie hamu
Director of Business Development, Julie Parker Communications

David Egan
Author, Advocate & Speaker

Felicia Emry,
Life Skills Director, Heaven on Earth NOW 

Autria Godfrey
Emmy Award-winning News Anchor & Podcast Host, Agents of Tech

Natalie Farr Harrison
SVP, Government Relations, Avoq

Guy Harrison
Partner, OnMessage, Inc.

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

Mathayo Perin
Vice President, Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, Kroger

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

Julie Riccio
Mkurugenzi, Masuala ya Udhibiti na Sera ya Umma, 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

Senator Steve Daines
Senator John Hickenlooper
Senator Jerry Moran
Representative Robert Aderholt
Representative Katherine Clark
Representative Tom Cole
Representative Diana DeGette
Representative Rosa DeLauro
Representative Lois Frankel
Representative Richard Hudson
Representative Pete Stauber

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton

2026 HONORARY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE

Seneta Marsha Blackburn
Senator Deb Fisher
Senator Cynthia Lummis
Seneta Ed Markey
Seneta Lisa Murkowski
Seneta Chris Murphy
Seneta Patty Murray
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester
Senator Tim Sheehy
Representative Jake Auchincloss
Representative Don Bacon
Representative Troy Balderson
Representative Nanette Barragán
Representative Ami Bera
Representative Don Beyer
Representative Mike Bost
Representative Shontel Brown
Representative Julia Brownley
Representative Nikki Budzinski
Representative Buddy Carter
Representative Sean Casten
Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Representative Emanuel Cleaver
Representative James Clyburn
Representative Steve Cohen
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman
Representative Angie Craig
Representative Jason Crow
Representative Monica De La Cruz
Representative Mark DeSaulnier
Representative Debbie Dingell
Representative Neal Dunn
Representative Gabe Evans
Representative Cleo Fields
Representative Valerie Foushee
Representative Virginia Foxx
Representative John Garamendi
Representative Andrew Garbarino
Representative Craig Goldman
Representative Lance Gooden
Representative Al Green
Representative Adelita Grijalva
Representative Michael Guest
Representative Jim Himes
Representative Erin Houchin
Representative Steny Hoyer
Representative Val Hoyle
Representative Wesley Hunt
Representative Glenn Ivey
Representative Jonathan Jackson
Representative David Joyce
Representative John Joyce
Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Representative Bill Keating
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Young Kim
Representative George Latimer
Representative Susie Lee
Representative Anna Paulina Luna
Representative Morgan Luttrell
Representative Doris Matsui
Representative Lucy McBath
Representative Rob Menendez
Representative Joseph Morelle
Representative Seth Moulton
Representative Burgess Owens
Representative Jimmy Panetta
Representative Scott Peters
Representative Austin Pfluger
Representative Chellie Pingree
Representative Mark Pocan
Representative Mike Quigley
Representative Amata Radewagen
Representative Delia Ramirez
Representative Emily Randall
Representative Jamie Raskin
Representative Hal Rogers
Representative Raul Ruiz
Representative Mary Scanlon
Representative Bradley Schneider
Representative Hillary Scholten
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Representative Austin Scott
Representative Tom Suozzi
Representative Shri Thanedar
Representative Jill Tokuda
Representative Lori Trahan
Representative Jefferson Van Drew
Representative Marc Veasey
Representative James Walkinshaw
Representative Maxine Waters
Representative Nikema Williams
Representative Joe Wilson
Representative Rob Wittman

2026 EXCLUSIVE ENTERTAINMENT


Robert Wallop
Rachel Platten
RhythmXpress

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

2026 LIVE AUCTION DONORS
The Emry Family
Gonzaga College High School Basketball Team with Special Thanks to Coach Keith Urgo
Robin & Josh Shultz
Familia ya Whitten

KUKUBALIKA GALA MEDIA

Bonyeza Anwani:

Shawn Flaherty
Barua pepe: shawn_flaherty@creativestratpr.com
Kiini: 703-554-3609

Simu ya Anca Elena
Barua pepe: acall@globaldownsyndrome.org
Kiini: 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!

Mwimbaji Jordin Sparks Anatumbuiza na Mwakilishi Frankel na Mwakilishi Hudson Alitunukiwa katika Gala ya Kukubalika ya Mei 9 ya Global Down Syndrome Foundation huko DC.

NIH Muhimu INAJUMUISHA Sheria Inayolenga Kuongeza Muda wa Maisha na Kuboresha Sana Matokeo ya Kiafya kwa Watu Wenye Ugonjwa wa Down Ilianzishwa na Bingwa wa GLOBAL, Mbunge Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

CELEBS NA CONGRESS HATUA KWA WATU WENYE DOWN SYNDROME HUKO DC!

GLOBAL Inapongeza Kongamano kwa Ongezeko la milioni $15 kwa NIH Down Syndrome/HIMU YA Mpango wa Utafiti katika Mwaka wa Fedha Uliopitishwa Hivi Majuzi wa 2023 Mswada wa Matumizi ya Mabasi Yote

Tazama Ushuhuda wa Bunge la Frank Stephens

swSwahili