Happy March!! March is one of my favorite months of the year because March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. While we celebrate the beautiful gift of Down syndrome every day, March 21st is set aside every year as an international holiday – the day the rest of the world celebrates with us. This year, we are making this celebration BIG, and we are celebrating all month long.

This month is all about awareness – raising awareness and acceptance of our amazing friends with Down syndrome. We know how incredible they are, now let’s shout it to the world!

We have some fun ideas and easy ways that you can raise awareness this month:

Raise awareness everywhere, every day!
1. Change your cover photo to educate your friends and family about World Down Syndrome Day and how we are #morealikethandifferent. Click here to download the photo!
2. Print out these Down Syndrome awareness cards to hand out at school, work, or local businesses. This is an easy way to spread awareness wherever you go! Click here to download the printable cards.
3. Share our special World Down Syndrome Day photo that we’ll post on 3-21. Stay tuned!
Join us in rockin’ your crazy socks on March 21st! Crazy socks have become a symbol of World Down Syndrome Day – everyone is unique and beautiful. Use the hashtag #DSAWCrazySocks in your posts for a chance to be featured on our page!
Raise money for DSAW's Statewide Parent's First Call Program with a Dimes for Down Syndrome campaign! Click here to download our printable label and tape it to a coffee can/other container. Place the containers at local businesses, your child’s classroom, or your office. The group that raises the most money will receive a pizza or donut party delivered by our Self-Advocates with Down syndrome. Send in your change, or start a fundraiser online (click here to visit the Dimes for Down Syndrome website).
Find a DSAW World Down Syndrome Celebration near you!

Not only are we celebrating World Down Syndrome Day this month, but we are also launching the DSAW Statewide Parent’s First Call Program by sending materials to more than 400 medical professionals in Wisconsin, launching billboard campaigns, and unveiling our new DSAW Parent’s First Call Magazine.

When you raise awareness for Down syndrome in your local community, you are not only raising awareness for your child, neighbor, or sibling… but you are raising awareness for individuals with Down syndrome who aren’t yet born.

The termination rate for fetuses with Down syndrome is still well over 80%. Through DSAW’s awareness campaigns and the Parent’s First Call program, YOU can be an integral part of reaching expectant parents who may one day face a terrible decision.... expectant parents who may look back on your work, your joy, your hope… and decide that this life is actually very beautiful. YOU can make that difference for families and individuals with Down syndrome in Wisconsin.

So join us. Raise your voices for Down syndrome! Change your cover photo, rock your crazy socks, and participate in Dimes for Down Syndrome. Because at the end of the day, we are #morealikethandifferent.

Warmly,
Dawn