Down Syndrome Research Support

Dear Down syndrome advocate and friend,
All of us who have worked to support people with Down syndrome have joined together in an emergency effort to increase government funding for Down syndrome research. We are in urgent need of your help. Recently, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was awarded $10 billion in stimulus funding from Congress. NIH will decide how to spend most of this money between now and June.

While some of this funding has been dedicated to other disabling conditions, to date NIH has not been willing to dedicate funding to Down syndrome research.
Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) are both advocates for people with developmental disabilities and were responsible for advocating for NIH funding in the stimulus bill. We are asking you to contact these Senators and request that they encourage NIH to fund Down syndrome research.

PLEASE WRITE THESE TWO SENATORS NOW! Below is a copy of a draft letter to the Senators Harkin and Specter, which include their fax number. Feel free to personalize if you wish. The letters should be sent no later than Friday, May 8, 2009.
We would appreciate it if you would also fax a copy of your letter to us at 303-468-6061. We are compiling our letters for our visits to Washington, D.C.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Brett (303) 468-6667 or ebrett@ajsfoundation.com. If it is easier for you, you can also stop by our offices to fax your letter. Just call in advance.
Our children with Down syndrome our counting on your support.