GLOBAL ya Kukubalika Gala

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

Crystal Muro

2026 Ambassador

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. From the very beginning, Crystal’s infectious laugh added even more warmth to her family. But life wasn't without challenges. As an infant, Crystal was frequently hospitalized and underwent surgery for a hole in her heart. But her resilience after these hospitalizations was just the first sign of her fighting spirit and dedication to spreading joy to those around her. Since graduating from Tustin High School, Crystal has been engaged with the Regional Center of Orange County – one of a network of 21 Regional Centers across the state that were created through the Lanterman Act. The Regional Center has helped her to meaningfully engage with the community, including being part of the Orange County Goodwill Day program. For over 10 years, Crystal has brought her kindness and conscientiousness to her volunteer work at the Tustin Area Senior Center. Her colleagues know that she will be the first to grab a microphone to entertain the seniors or grab a towel to help clean up after a bingo game or lunch. An avid artist, Crystal always has a stack of paper, pens, and markers at the ready. Lucky friends and family can expect a card containing artwork on most holidays. Crystal is the queen of birthday greetings and maintains an extensive family and friends’ calendar. Once she knows your birthday, you will be sure to get a card, text, or if you're lucky, a birthday song! Crystal has been a lifelong role model and treasured friend, family member, and community leader. This is why we're so excited to have Crystal serve as GLOBAL Ambassador as she celebrates her 40th birthday at the 2026 AcceptAbility Gala. Crystal is proud to champion GLOBAL’s groundbreaking work and to represent a community she embodies so beautifully.

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.

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

Gala Emcee; Award-winning Anchor/Correspondent, ABC News

Gala Emcee; Co-Anchor of “America Reports with John Roberts & Sandra Smith”, Fox News

Author, Actor & Advocate

Principal, Williams & Jensen, PLLC

Author, Advocate & Speaker

Thank You to Our 2025 Supporters

Top Billboard
Altria
Familia ya Ashbrook
Avoq
The Brogan Family
Washirika wa Capital Clarion
Comcast NBCUniversal
David Egan na Familia
Natalie & Guy Harrison
Highland Electric Fleets
Koch Government Affairs
Mastercard
Merck
Mikakati ya Simulizi
OnMessage, Inc.
The Stephens Family
The Toohey Family
Valero
Visa
Brian & Natasha Walsh
Familia ya Whitten

Silver
Anna & John J. Sie Foundation
ExxonMobil
NCTA
Steampunk
Williams & Jensen

Platinum
The Emry Family

Gold
American Express
Intuit
Kroger
Familia ya Mullen
PhRMA
PwC

John Roberts

Gala Emcee; Co-Anchor of “America Reports with John Roberts & Sandra Smith”, Fox News

John Roberts currently serves as the co-anchor of America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET) on FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network from CNN as a senior national correspondent in January 2011, based in the Atlanta bureau. On Inauguration Day 2025, Roberts contributed to the extensive live coverage from Washington, D.C. commentating on President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance being sworn into office. Additionally, Roberts reported live from Jerusalem surrounding the Israel-Hamas war. Previously, Roberts served as FNC’s chief White House correspondent where he reported on the top headlines emanating out of the Trump administration. In this capacity, Roberts regularly attended White House briefings and covered the 2021 second impeachment of then-President Donald Trump. As chief White House correspondent, Roberts also traveled with the former president, providing live coverage from the 2019 North Korea-United States Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. He also contributed to FNC’s coverage of President Trump's 2018 Russia-United States Summit where the former president met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland. During that trip to Europe, Roberts also provided live coverage from the NATO Summit in Belgium as well as President Trump’s visits with UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II. That year he also contributed live reports from the Singapore Summit between the United States and North Korea. Prior to his role as chief White House correspondent, he covered the 2016 presidential election where he interviewed then-presidential candidates Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina, and Marco Rubio. Additionally, he has provided live coverage during numerous breaking news and political events, including the 2012 and 2016 presidential debates, Democratic and Republican National Conventions, as well as Hurricane Irene in 2011. In addition, Roberts covered the murder trial of real estate heir Robert Durst and the U.S. Ebola outbreak. A native Canadian, Roberts secured an exclusive interview with embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in 2013 surrounding allegations of his drinking and drug use. He also reported live from Moore, OK in the wake of the deadly EF5 tornado. Prior to joining FNC, Roberts co-anchored CNN's American Morning from 2007 to 2010. Previously, he served as CNN's senior national correspondent and anchor of This Week at War, examining international wars, including those in Afghanistan and Iraq. Throughout his career, he has traveled internationally to report on major developing news, including Yugoslavia during the NATO bombing, the London bombings of July 2005 and the earthquakes in Turkey. Additionally, he has interviewed numerous prominent figures, including former presidents George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, the late Yitzhak Rabin and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Before joining CNN in 2006, he spent more than 14 years with CBS News, during which he was the chief White House correspondent, chief medical correspondent and anchor of the weekend editions of the CBS Evening News and CBS Morning News. While there, he was embedded with the U.S. Marines during the war in Iraq and anchored the CBS Evening News coverage of Hurricane Katrina and the death of Pope John Paul II. From 1994-1995, Roberts anchored the evening news on WCBS-TV (CBS 2) in New York. Roberts began his career in Canada, where he worked as an anchor and correspondent for City TV in Toronto and also co-anchored CTV's morning news program, Canada A.M. from 1990-1992. Over the course of his career, Roberts has been a recipient of several awards, including an Emmy, a New York Press Club award and three national Emmy Awards for his coverage of the Atlanta Olympic bombing, the death of Princess Diana and the TWA crash. Roberts also earned a National Headline Award for his coverage of the crisis along the Israeli-Lebanese border in 2006. He attended the University of Toronto at Mississauga.

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 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.

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 Syndrome^TM 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 AND TOM COLE GLOBAL ADVANCEMENT AWARDS – Apply Today!

FACT SHEET

MAFANIKIO YA KIMATAIFA

NAFASI ZA UDHAMINI

SPONSORSHIP PLEDGE FORM

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

Natalie Farr Harrison
SVP, Government Relations, Avoq

Guy Harrison
Partner, OnMessage, Inc.

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

Erin Kitabu Mullen
Mkuu, Williams & Jensen, PLLC

Mathayo Perin
Mkuu wa Mahusiano ya Serikali na Masuala ya Udhibiti, 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

2025 CONGRESSIONAL HOSTS

Senator Cory Booker
Congresswoman Katherine Clark
Congressman Tom Cole
Senator Steve Daines
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
Congresswoman Lois Frankel
Senator John Hickenlooper
Congressman Richard Hudson
Senator Jerry Moran
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
Congressman Pete Sessions
Congressman Pete Stauber

2025 HONORARY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
Congressman Gabe Amo
Congressman Jake Auchincloss
Congresswoman Nanette Barragán
Congressman Donald S. Beyer Jr.
Congresswoman Stephanie Bice
Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Seneta Marsha Blackburn
Seneta Katie Britt
Congresswoman Shontel Brown
Congresswoman Julia Brownley
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski
Congressman Buddy Carter
Congressman Juan Ciscomani
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
Congressman James Clyburn
Congressman Steve Cohen
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman
Congressman Gerald Connolly
Congressman Joe Courtney
Congressman Jason Crow
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Congresswoman Maxine Dexter
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
Congressman Neal Dunn
Congressman Gabe Evans
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
Congressman John Garamendi
Congressman Andrew Garbarino
Congressman Robert Garcia
Congressman Lance Gooden
Congressman Michael Guest
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan
Congressman Steny Hoyer
Congressman Dave Joyce
Congressman John Joyce
Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans
Congresswoman Young Kim
Seneta Amy Klobuchar
Congressman George Latimer
Congressman Bob Latta
Congressman Mike Lawler
Congresswoman Julia Letlow
Senator Cynthia Lummis
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna
Senator Edward Markey
Congresswoman Doris Matsui
Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Congressman Rich McCormick
Congressman Morgan McGarvey
Congressman Rob Menendez
Congresswoman Carol Miller
Congressman Seth Moulton
Seneta Markwayne Mullin
Seneta Lisa Murkowski
Seneta Chris Murphy
Seneta Patty Murray
Congressman Jay Obernolte
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
Congressman Scott Peters
Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen
Congressman Mark Pocan
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Congressman Jamie Raskin
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester
Congressman Hal Rogers
Congresswoman Mary Scanlon
Senator Eric Schmitt
Congressman Brad Schneider
Congresswoman Hillary Scholten
Congresswoman Kim Schrier
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Senator Chuck Schumer
Senator Tim Sheehy
Senator Elissa Slotkin
Congresswoman Haley Stevens
Congressman Dale Strong
Congressman Shri Thanedar
Congresswoman Dina Titus
Congressman Paul Tonko
Congresswoman Lori Trahan
Seneta Chris Van Hollen
Congressman Derrick Van Orden
Congressman Juan Vargas
Seneta Elizabeth Warren
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson
Congressman Joe Wilson

2025 EXCLUSIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Robert Wallop
Phillip Phillips
RhythmXpress

2025 IN-KIND DONORS
Barnhart Press
Coors
Georgetown Cupcakes
Harris Teeter
The LOOP
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group

2025 LIVE AUCTION DONORS
Jan Adams
Bloomingdale’s
The Emry Family
Estee Lauder
Nina McLemore
Robin & Josh Shultz
Carlo & Kristin Tamburro
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