DownSyndrome Achieves (DSA) is pleased to announce a partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to host a blood sample drive to help expand medical research opportunities related to Down syndrome and co-occurring health conditions.
The blood sample drive will be held at the NDSS Adult Summit in Cincinnati, OH on November 9-11, 2023, and will be managed by the DownSyndrome Achieves DSA Biobank initiative.
“We are excited to be a part of this innovative partnership to collect more information about health conditions that co-occur with Down syndrome,” said Margot Rhondeau, NDSS Senior Director of Health and Wellness. “This blood sample drive will meaningfully contribute to newer developments in research that improve diagnostics and targeted therapies for our families who need them.”
You can donate a blood sample to the DSA Biobank if you are 16 years or older and:
• have Down syndrome;
• are the biological parent of a child with Down syndrome; or
• are a brother or sister of someone with Down syndrome
All participants who complete the blood sample collection process and health survey will receive a $30 Amazon gift card.
You can register for the NDSS Adult Summit at: https://ndss.org/adult-summit
To register for the DSA Biobank Blood Sample Drive at the NDSS Adult Summit, please go to: DSABiobank.org.
“The single greatest barrier in Down syndrome research today is the lack of blood and other biosamples available to researchers for study,” said DownSyndrome Achieves CEO, Lito Ramirez. “We want to help bring researchers and families together so we can better understand the health conditions individuals with Down syndrome face and speed up the development of treatments for these conditions — hopefully in 10 or 15 years instead 20, 30, or 50 years down the road.
“Our focus on research will ensure people with Down syndrome can maximize their potential and lead healthier, more active, and independent lives,” Ramirez said.
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ABOUT DOWNSYNDROME ACHIEVES
We envision a future when Down syndrome diagnosis comes without health complications, when people with Down syndrome can maximize their potential and lead healthier, more active, and independent lives. That is why we developed the DSA Biobank. Located at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the DSA Biobank is the first of its kind to catalog, store, and openly share biosamples for study. Our keen focus on fostering collaboration provides researchers with the critical biosamples needed to develop breakthrough treatments and therapies.
ABOUT NDSS
Founded in 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities, and shifting public perceptions. NDSS engages grassroots advocates at the federal, state, and local levels and creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers across the lifespan on topics including education, employment, health and wellness, and aging. NDSS founded the National Buddy Walk® Program in 1995 and hosts community engagement events throughout the country including the New York City Buddy Walk® and Times Square Video, the NDSS Adult Summit, and the Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. Visit www.ndss.org to learn more.