Governor, Rep. Coffman Honor World Down Syndrome Day
DENVER (CBS4) - Some Colorado leaders took time to honor World Down Syndrome Day with an event at the capitol on Friday.
Those with the genetic condition Down syndrome and their families gathered to raise awareness along with Gov. John Hickenlooper, Rep. Mike Coffman and other elected leaders. They also celebrated 11 local scientists who received $1 million in research grants.
World Down Syndrome Day is on March 21 (3/1) to represent the three copies of chromosome 21, which lead to the disorder.
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is based in Denver. It is dedicated to "significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research."
Thank you for joining Global and @hickforco at the Colorado State Capitol today! #WDSD2016 #Downsyndromeawareness pic.twitter.com/Uiv27w1RSe
— Global Down Syndrome (@GDSFoundation) March 18, 2016
"We're the least funded genetic condition by the National Institute of Health, and the research impacts the medical care. The medical care influences the outcomes of our children and our adults in terms of what they're able to achieve," foundation Michelle Sie Whitten said on Friday. "So, really we have to raise our own funds."