+15: Our Children's Futures Depend on It!

This post could probably use a LOT more fleshing-out, but time is short, and I’ll probably need to write more later. Please read on to find out why MIDNIGHT TONIGHT is a very important deadline!

I just attended a webinar by the Down Syndrome Treatment and Research Foundation (DSRTF), and received a ton of very valuable information pertaining to the current research being done regarding cognitive impairment in individuals with Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome are living twice as long now as they were just 30 years ago, thanks to medical intervention and increased knowledge, but with that increase in age come new issues, such as a decline in cognition due to issues like Alzheimer’s.

Currently, the bulk of research funding comes from NIH, but that funding is woefully inadequate, especially with the breakthroughs on the horizon in Down syndrome research. Currently, an average of just $42 is spent per person for the 400,000 individuals with Down syndrome in the US compared to the $3,000 per person spent for the 30,000 individuals with cystic fibrosis, roughly 67x the amount of funding for Ds. There are also 400,000 people with multiple sclerosis living in the US, and the funding is 8x greater than for Ds.

Drug trials will be starting soon. A major pharmaceutical company is on board. There is so much hope, but not hope based on an intangible dream, this is hope based on reality.

DSRTF needs YOUR help to help our children increase their learning and independence, to see through to fruition the dream that each of us has for our beautiful, chromosomally-enhanced loved ones. To help our children lead more fulfilling and productive lives.

A donor has generously agreed to MATCH each and every dollar donated until MIDNIGHT TONIGHT at a rate of…get this…3 TO 1!!! That means that for every dollar donated, they will donate 3. For every $15 donated, they will match $45. Please visit plus15.org to donate NOW! Your donations are tax-deductible.

Take 15 seconds.

Tell 15 friends.

Give 15 dollars.

Midnight tonight is the deadline for the match, but by no means the end of the campaign. Continue to pass this information forward, on Facebook, on your blogs, via e-mail, through Twitter, or by any other vehicle of communication you may use.