Gift Honors Dr. Michael Harpold

Dr. Michael Harpold (right) speaking with Sonya Cabral at the IMDSA Research Conference.

Everyone who meets Dr. Michael Harpold, LuMind Foundation’s Chief Scientific Officer, immediately understands his dedication to Down syndrome cognition research and the Ds community.

One family of supporters, Suzanne and Carl Shepherd, are recognizing that dedication with a $15,000 gift to the foundation in honor of Dr. Harpold. The gift will support specific endeavors to ignite research and invite collaboration, two areas of importance for Dr. Harpold, who also heads up the LuMind Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board. Specifically, the Shepherds are supporting new research fellowship grants for young and new investigators, and conferences, workshops, and surveys to promote collaboration and the exchange of ideas on research that may propel Ds discoveries.

“Drawing more researchers into the field, and ensuring the effective communication of research results and strategies, are key to the ultimate goal of the Ds community – new therapies to improve cognition and other effects of Ds,” explained Suzanne Shepherd in a note to the Foundation. “This donation is in honor of Michael Harpold and his many contributions to accelerating Ds research.”

LuMInd is very fortunate to have Michael working directly with the Scientific Advisory Board to  advance DS cognition research. Thank you to the Shepherd Family and to Dr. Harpold!

A Chat with a Member of DSACT – Emily Feiner

How adorable! Emily’s sons, Jake and Austin.

Recently we introduced you to our friends at the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT) in a blog post presenting the affiliate organization and their generous support of cognition research. Today we’d like to highlight one of their members, Emily Feiner who sees the “boost” cognition research could give to people with Down syndrome.

Emily is mother to twin seven-year-old boys, Austin and Jake. Austin is quite serious and is a fan of airplanes, while Jake loves music, dance, and Mickey Mouse. Jake also happens to have Down syndrome.

Because of Jake, Emily joined DSACT to avail herself of its wonderful programs and make connections with other families. She also shares DSACT’s commitment to funding LuMind Foundation’s important mission of advancing cognitive research. Along with her husband Bob, Emily has attended various LuMind research seminars, including a recent September Research 101 seminar with our Chief Scientific Officer Michael Harpold and Executive Director Carolyn Cronin.

“It’s inspiring to think about raising the level of cognition among people with Down syndrome,” says Emily.  “There is a great personality inside Jake and it could emerge more with an extra boost.”

Emily recognizes that there is limited funding for research on Down syndrome, so it is up to parents and Down syndrome groups to raise the money to conduct cognition studies.  Emily and her husband are also generous contributors to the LuMind Foundation, and we thank them for their support both as individuals and as members of DSACT.

Affiliate Profile: The DS Association of Central Texas—Something for Everyone

Jack and Suzanne Shepherd

The Down syndrome community of central Texas is blessed with a great support organization. Founded in 1991, the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT) offers a wealth of programs for every stage of life.  We want to recognize DSACT for its generous support of the LuMind Foundation and share what makes them such a special group.

To learn more about DSACT, we spoke to Suzanne Shepherd, the Co-President of the Board of Directors and Healthcare Chair, as well as a busy mom to Jack, who is 17 and happens to have Down syndrome.

Suzanne first became involved with DSACT as a parent after Jake’s birth in 1997. In 2007, she joined the board of DSACT and she has been active in the organization ever since. Suzanne has been instrumental in developing many of DSACT’s programs, from outreach efforts to healthcare professionals to social groups for kids of all ages along with a wide variety of activities and classes. DSACT offers a truly amazing number of programs: book clubs; swimming, dance, and cooking classes; visual and martial arts; etc.

But what we at the LuMind Foundation appreciate beyond anything else is DSACT’s strong commitment to our joint mission of funding Down syndrome cognition research. DSACT has donated very generously to LuMind over the past several years. They have also organized a Research 101 seminar with LuMind’s Dr. Michael Harpold and Carolyn Cronin to educate and inform their members of the progress that has been made in the past decade.

“The research that wasn’t there when my son was born is now there,” says Suzanne, “and that gives me hope!” Hope because, Suzanne points out, “These cognitive treatments will allow people with Down syndrome to make greater strides toward living independent lives.”

Today, we can point to very important discoveries in the area of cognition at well-recognized and prestigious institutions. And, as Suzanne says, it’s more efficient for local organizations to pool their money together to fund research at the national level. In an ideal world, Suzanne would like every affiliate to follow DSACT’s example by contributing 5% of their budget to benefit LuMind and the important cognitive research we fund. We would love that too, Suzanne!