Be Beautiful Be Yourself Jet Set Fashion Show 2009

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (Foundation) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome by supporting basic research, clinical research and clinical care.

Established in 2009, the Foundation's primary focus is to support the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome (The Linda Crnic Institute). The Linda Crnic Institute is the first organization in the US with the mission to eradicate the medical and cognitive ill effects associated with Down syndrome through basic and clinical research and through clinical care. The Linda Crnic Institute incorporates scientific partners both locally and globally, with headquarters at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Colorado. (learn more about LCI)...

The Foundation will provide desperately needed funds to underwrite research for people with Down syndrome. In doing so, the Foundation is not just addressing the 400,000 people in the United States with Down syndrome but the millions of people affected by the condition worldwide.

The Foundation builds community awareness by (1) focusing on the abilities of, and contributions made by people with Down syndrome, and (2) creating awareness about the unique, and sometimes heart-wrenching, challenges that people with Down syndrome and their family members face.

The Foundation intends to continue its successful Be Beautiful Be Yourself Jet Set Fashion Show fundraiser that highlights models with Down syndrome, and to co-host similar fashion show fundraisers in other states and countries. (learn more about Be Beautiful Be Yourself)...

In addition to fundraising that incorporates awareness, the Foundation will partner with the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Educational Fund and other organizations to organize and promote advocacy and educational events that will benefit people with Down syndrome.

The Foundation has already taken a leadership role in educating members of Congress, the National Institutes of Health and other governmental organizations about the outrageous discrepancy in the research funding benefiting people with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is the least funded genetic condition by the National Institutes of Health garnering only 0.0006 of the 2008 budget despite being the most frequent chromosomal condition with 1 in 733 children in the US born with Down syndrome. This educational role is pivotal in accessing research funds that are crucial in creating a brighter future for people with Down syndrome.

Originating from start-up funds made possible by the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation (learn more about AJSF)... the Foundation is very results driven, and leverage -- both therapeutic and financial -- are important internal measurements of success. The Foundation intends to be an important leader in a new era for people with Down syndrome

For more information on how to join the Foundation's cause and events please contact Diana Moore at 303-468-6663.

We look forward to sharing our excitement, dedication and hard work to benefit perhaps the most deserving and misunderstood population - the beautiful and brilliant children with Down syndrome.