Tribute 21 – The 2nd Annual Masquerade Ball Benefiting RDS and the Tribute 21 Fund

Thanks again to Erin and Brendan Fry, and the entire Host Committee for Tribute 21, for the Second Annual Masquerade Ball Benefiting Research Down Syndrome and the Tribute 21 Fund, held on November 7 in Washington, DC.

Some pictures from Tribute 21 2014 are shared below, and here is a link to all the pictures, thanks to Bridget Conley, Jennifer Lust and Caitlin Taylor!

The evening's success is due in large part to our sponsors, who were so instrumental in making the evening such a resounding success….Thank You!

What an amazing night. Let's do it again.  We look forward to seeing you in 2015!

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#GivingTuesday – We Need Your Help!

Giving Tuesday is December 2 – a national day of giving that follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You already know that Down syndrome cognition research relies on private funding and we need your help to funnel Giving Tuesday philanthropy toward fueling more discovery breakthroughs. Here’s how you can help:

• Make a donation –  Giving Tuesday runs during our Annual Appeal and we have a match running to make your donation do more to support cognition research. All gifts of $1000 or more will be doubled, thanks to a generous supporter. All gifts are appreciated!
• Spread the word – Giving Tuesday is rooted in social media and fueled by online sharing. Watch our website and share our posts with your network to drive donations to LuMind Foundation. Or tell your story and invite people to participate in Giving Tuesday by supporting you and your loved one with Down syndrome. Use #GivingTuesday #GTLuMind and we will retweet and share.
• It’s not all about money – On Giving Tuesday, people are encouraged to share talent, time, ideas. All day on Tuesday we will be posting opportunities to volunteer with LuMind. Give them a look and consider asking your network to lend some talent to LuMind.

      

So, what should you tell people? Along with relating your personal story about why Down syndrome cognition is important to you, there’s an added incentive to share with your network: All donations over $1000 will be matched 1:1 by a generous supporter.

And we’d love to help! Tell us why you are inspired by the promise of Down syndrome cognitive research and we’ll feature you on our social sites.

Down syndrome cognition research is a promising investment, not only for our loved ones with DS, but also for the Alzheimer’s community. We thank you for supporting LuMind Foundation and giving with your head as well as your heart.

A Down Pour for Downs

Probably everyone would have preferred sunny warm weather, but spirits were the only thing not dampened at the Alexander’s Angels Buddy Walk October 11 on Long Island.

Esther Gomez-Nieto, president of Alexander’s Angels and her board members put together a great day with music, food, and fun. A bit of humor was provided by Kyle (pictured to right with Esther) who quipped it was a “Down pour for Downs!”

The Buddy Walk went on and the rain finally cooperated to leave only cloudy skies as the teams gathered in celebration. With so much fun – the event even made the local news!

Thank you Alexander’s Angels for inviting us to be part of your day and for being long-time committed supporters of cognition research.

 

 

 

Thank you ROMPERS!

Dad Anthony and friends watch as Troy gives an interview about the ROMP.

NYC had a beautiful day for the ROMP FOR RESEARCH on October 12, 2014, attracting more than 1000 people. Enjoy some photos from the day of fun in the sun to raise funds for cognition development research for people with Down syndrome.

We sincerely thank event founders Mary Costello, Steve Lazare and Anthony Providenti for their continued support by organizing and running the 9th annual ROMP. All the details are still being tallied, but the event easily (and colorfully) raised more than $150,000 for Down syndrome cognition research.

ROMP fun means a lot of sliding, climbing and bouncing!

Who needs more proof of a good time than Louies chocolate smile?

LuMind Foundation brings light to the science of cognition research. The ROMP adds color, fun and so much support.

Steve Lazare checks in with Dom and Jackie who welcomed everyone to the ROMP.

All the ROMPERS left with smiling faces.

UN WDSD Video

For today’s Throwback Thursday, we look back just a few months ago to World Down Syndrome Day at the United Nations on March 21, 2014.

Enjoy all the talks or fast forward ahead to about 2:34.12 for the Down syndrome cognition research portion of the day’s talks moderated by LuMind Executive Director Carolyn Cronin with presentations from:

• Dr Yvonne Maddox, NICHD – Down Syndrome Research and Advocacy: Improving Lives Together
• Dr William Mobley, University of California San Diego – Enhancing cognition in people with Down Syndrome
• Professor Antony John Holland,  University of Cambridge – Understanding the link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease: developing preventative treatments
• Debora Seabra, Self-Advocate – Healthcare must be inclusive – Article 25 of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

 

NDSC Convention: Setting the Pace

We enjoyed meeting friends and making new ones at the National Down Syndrome Congress convention in Indianapolis from July 11-13, 2014.

We especially want to thank the people who got up early on Saturday morning to show an interest in research by attending our presentation “Advances in Down Syndrome Cognition Research – Dramatic Progress in Translating Discoveries into New Therapies.” Carolyn Cronin, Dr. Michael Harpold and Dr. Roger Reeves addressed a crowd of more than 200 people and answered questions about the opportunities created by your donations to the LuMind Foundation.

Nothing but Net – and Research

Basketball + Fourth of July + air conditioning = a great way to raise money for Down syndrome cognition research!

Our friend and Board Member Anthony Providenti hosts a Long Island tradition, a basketball tournament to benefit the LuMind Foundation. The event raised $4000 and the spirits of all of us here at LuMind –  thanks to everyone who played, cheered and donated.

Here’s an article about the event:

Young and Hoary Battled at Sportime – Tournament benefited Down syndrome foundation

In the Winner’s Circle: A Look at the Race for Research

We raised more than $100,000 for Down syndrome cognition research!

For pictures, stories and memories, check out our Facebook Page, where we posted updates throughout the three-day Road Rally held from June 16-18, 2014.

Thank you to NASCAR for covering LuMind’s race for Research Road Rally as we crossed the finish line at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. Check out the video and hear from our teams and honorary co-chair, David Ragan on why they raced for research.

Want to Learn More about the Race for Research?

Take the word of our honorary co-chair!

NASCAR Driver David Ragan, who is co-chairing the event along with his wife Jacquelyn, was on the John Boy and Billy Radio Show. Listen to what he had to say about the inaugural Race for Research Road Rally to benefit LuMind Foundation. Listen in!

Did you miss our webinar “Down Syndrome Cognition Research: Memory and Sleep?”

In this special Mother’s Day presentation, Dr. Jamie Edgin provided an update on the current state of work on memory formation and sleep-dependent learning in children and young adults with Down syndrome. She also highlighted other recent discoveries and new directions in her lab, including progress on the development of new cognitive assessments for young children with Down syndrome (the Arizona Memory Assessment for Preschoolers and Special Populations™, or A-MAP).  Learn more and watch a replay.