Join NDSS this October to Celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Down Syndrome Awareness Month is marked by national programs to promote awareness for the abilities and achievements of those with Down syndrome.

New York, NY – October 1, 2010. This October, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) invites the country to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in recognition of the many achievements and abilities of people with Down syndrome.

People with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before. The life expectancy of individuals with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades – from 25 in 1983 to 60 today. Children with Down syndrome are often fully included in social and educational settings and increasingly go on to graduate high school and attend postsecondary education programs. While placement in the workforce remains a struggle, the situation has improved and adults with Down syndrome have attained a variety of positions, bringing enthusiasm, reliability and dedication to their jobs.

Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition, one in every 733 live births is a baby born with Down syndrome, and it is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. Advancements in education, research and advocacy have had a tremendous impact on the opportunities that individuals with Down syndrome have to live healthy and fulfilling lives. People with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways.

“My brother David, who has Down syndrome, and I are so excited to be walking in this year’s Buddy Walk in New York City,” said Pro snowboarder Kevin Pearce, “Along with thousands of others, we hope to raise awareness about Down syndrome and support this important campaign to create a brighter future for all families and individuals whose lives are touched by this condition.”

Since October of 1981, the Down syndrome community has been celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month. This year marks the return of fantastic national programming to promote awareness for the achievements and abilities of people with Down syndrome.

The National Buddy Walk Program® has been running annually since 1995, kicking off in September and lasting through November, in celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The goals of the program are to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to positively influence local and national policy and practice. The Buddy Walk is a heart-warming, one-mile walk, in which anyone can participate without special training. Last year alone, Buddy Walk events raised more than $10 million to benefit national education and advocacy initiatives, as well as local programs and services. All funds raised through the National Buddy Walk Program support both local and national programs.

The My Great Story campaign, launched last September, seeks to ignite a new way of thinking about people with Down syndrome by showcasing and collecting inspirational stories told by people with Down syndrome as well as their family members, friends, colleagues, employers and many others. These stories are displayed in a beautiful online storybook. The campaign has garnered strong visibility in a profound timeframe. To date, over $4.5 million has been donated in national and regional ad space and services, and there have been over 150 million impressions across the country. The campaign has had placements in publications such as Allure, Fortune, Golf Digest, The New Yorker, Newsweek, Time, Vogue and Wired, among other noteworthy outlets. The My Great Story campaign has attracted other types of media as well, including placements in bars, checkout counters and hospital patient and waiting rooms. The CNN Airport Network has joined the effort as well, broadcasting the My Great Story PSA starring actor and NDSS Ambassador John C. McGinley in airports across the country.

About Buddy Walk

In the past 16 years, the National Buddy Walk program has grown from 17 Walks to over 275 Buddy Walk events taking place in cities across the country and in select international locations in 2010. To learn more, visit www.buddywalk.org or click here to find a Buddy Walk near you.

About My Great Story

MGS was created pro-bono by NY based Ad Agency, Pedone. After 14 months of market analysis the Pedone team developed a campaign in an effort to shape the future for all people with Down syndrome. The online story book was developed by CT based Interactive Agency York and Chapel, who spent over 12 months developing the user friendly technology, sophisticated design and esthetics, and incorporation of the spectacular print ads shot by Zachary Scott. To learn more, visit www.ndss.org/stories.

About NDSS

The National Down Syndrome Society is a nonprofit organization representing the more than 400,000 Americans with Down syndrome. The mission of NDSS is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming community. NDSS has over 275 affiliates nationwide. To learn more about NDSS, visit www.ndss.org.