5 things you should know about Down syndrome

As the father of a beautiful girl with Down syndrome, I am passionate about improving the understanding of this genetic disorder and raising awareness about the unique challenges it presents. That’s why today, I wanted to share five things you should know about Down syndrome:

1. The name “Down syndrome” originates from the surname of John Langdon Down, an English physician who first delineated common features of those with the genetic disorder.
2. In 1958, the cause of Down syndrome was discovered by a French geneticist named Dr. Jerome Lejeune: a third chromosome on the 21st set of genes.
3. The current average lifespan of an individual with Down syndrome is 60 years – a number that has more than doubled since 1983, when it was only 25 years.
4. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder: each year, approximately 6,000 children are born with Down syndrome in the U.S. – about one out of every 700 births.
5. Even though Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder, it is the major genetic condition which receives the least funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Great progress has been made in understanding Down syndrome and improving the quality of life for those who have Down syndrome. But here in the United States, there is still much to be done.

That’s where we come in. By providing care to those with Down syndrome, we ensure they can reach their full potential.

Support a Child with Down Syndrome

Our Jerome Lejeune Medical Center pilot program for pediatric patients has now been up and running for four months! We are excited to partner with Bella Health + Wellness in Denver, Colorado, to bring 50 years of medical experience to a group of young people with Down syndrome in the United States.

>>> Support the new pediatric program – give today!

Our patients have had their first visits and met their doctors, whose respect for life and compassion truly set them apart.

As we continue to bring this specialized care to the United States, we still need your help! Would you consider donating to support our new Denver medical center? For just $167 per month, you can provide annual care for one patient in our pediatric pilot program. Or you can make a one-time donation of $2,000 to support a patient for an entire year!

Let’s ensure that the quality of life for those with Down syndrome keeps getting better. Thanks again for your support.

Sources:

National Down Syndrome Society
Global Down Syndrome Organization