Join our celebration of wdsd
We're celebrating World Down Syndrome Day in such a big way, we need the whole month!
Join us in "actively" support cognition research by joining our WDSD Virtual Run/Walk. Make your own goal or gather your friends and run 3 miles 21 times or 21 miles 3 times, walk 3.21 miles, steps, kilometers, or jog along Route 321... Anyway to show your support for WDSD!
Learn more about joining our vibrant running community and the WDSD Virtual Run/Walk.
BIG NEWS!
First Ever Public Private Partnership Allows LuMind RDS to Leverage Grant Funds in Clinical Studies for People with Down Syndrome
LuMind Research Down Syndrome announces a Translational Innovation Research Grant award to AC Immune for the Phase Ib ACI-24 clinical trial targeting the earlier-onset Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with Down syndrome. This first-ever private-public partnership, with funding by AC Immune, the National Institutes of Health, and LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation has been a two year effort LuMind RDS Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Michael Harpold and the other involved parties. Dr. Michael Rafii of the University of California, San Diego, will direct the clinical studies and associated trial sites for the study of a novel, potentially disease-modifying drug candidate targeting the earlier-onset Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with Down syndrome.
This is an important, exciting, and groundbreaking new step towards addressing a major health concern for all individuals with Down syndrome. Thank you for your donations, which allowed LuMind RDS to support this exciting clinical study project, which gives our grant six times more leverage via this unique funding partnership.
Can you ROMP?
Have you seen the video from the 2015 ROMP for Research? Just a warning, be ready to smile, laugh and have some fun! Thank you to Keith Brady Media Inc. (contact Keith via email). We're still accepting donations if you are inspired to support 10 years of the ROMP.
Romp For Research 2015 from Keith Brady Media on Vimeo.
Thank you for Giving Tuesday - December 1, 2015
Giving Tuesday was December 1, 2015 and we thank you all for your support and donations. We raised more than $22,000 that will go directly to Down syndrome cognition research. To learn more about Giving Tuesday, including making a donation (we'll accept it!) and learning about our many volunteer opportunities, visit our Giving Tuesday page.
The 2015-2016 Research Grants are Here!
Where are the brightest lines of Down syndrome cognition research discovery? Learn how your donation dollars are funding groundbreaking research in Down syndrome and early onset Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome. Read all about the grants here.
Research Update: What's New in Cognition Research at Johns Hopkins?
Did you miss the webinar - or perhaps you just want to hear it again! Check out our webinar page to access the recording for the research update from Dr. Roger Reeves and Dr. Paul Worley from Johns Hopkins University who explained the progress on the three projects they are working on related to improving Down syndrome cognition. And if you missed the webinar announcing the 2015-2016 grants, you can listen to a download of the webinar here.
Dr. Michael Harpold talks Down Syndrome Research on Arizona PBS
Dr. Michael Harpold, LuMind RDS's chief scientific officer, appeared on Horizonte, a news and affairs program on Channel 8, a public television station in Arizona to talk about Down syndrome research. Enjoy the update from Dr. Harpold at 17 minutes.
Here's to Collaboration!
Thank you to Jeremie Ballinger, Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, who took some time from the activities at DSAIA to talk about the merger of LuMind Foundation and Research Down Syndrome. We appreciate the time Jeremie took to "welcome collaboration," especially as the DSAGSL was busy collecting numerous awards at the conference. We're so glad to have your support, DSAGSL!
LuMind Foundation and Research Down Syndrome Have Merged to Create One Organization: LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation
The LuMind Foundation (formerly the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation – DSRTF) and Research Down Syndrome (RDS), worldwide leaders in advancing Down syndrome cognition research, together announce consolidation of the two organizations. The new foundation will pursue their shared mission more effectively and efficiently, and leverage the tremendous progress each has made to ignite Down syndrome cognition discoveries. Read more in our press release.
Karen Gaffney on the Importance of Research
Vibrant and inspirational self-advocate Karen Gaffney spoke at the October 2014 Funding Futures to benefit the LuMind Foundation. Karen spoke about the importance of Down syndrome cognition research and "the huge black cloud" that hangs over her about early onset Alzheimer's disease and loss of cognitive gains that every person with Down syndrome faces as they age.
We Have Big Plans for 2015!
Won't you join us? Ten years ago there was little research on Down syndrome cognitive development being conducted, now there are more promising lines of discovery than we can fund. The LuMind Foundation Board Chair, Ryan Hartman, has a message about why NOW is a critical time to capture the research momentum you've ignited with your donations. Read Ryan's words on our Plus15 Blog.
NIH Releases 2014 Down Syndrome Research Plan
We’re very pleased to announce that NIH has just released the updated document “Down Syndrome Directions,” the NIH Research Plan on Down Syndrome. The research plan will provide another great way to work with the DS community to further research efforts. Read more about the plan on our plus15 Blog.
The ROMP Video is Here!
What happens at a ROMP FOR RESEARCH? Find out in this colorful, fun-filled, camera-drone flying video. We especially enjoyed the cameo by Troy, one of our favorite ROMP participants.