Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation Matches Donations 3:1 for World Down Syndrome Day

100 percent of all donations to benefit cognition research on March 21.

Palo Alto, CA (PRWEB) March 21, 2012

In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, today the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (DSRTF) is matching all donations 3:1 through its website at http://www.dsrtf.org/donate. The mission of DSRTF is to accelerate research to improve learning, memory, and speech for people with Down syndrome and make it possible for them to live more independent lives. According to DSRTF “Federal funding for Down syndrome is only $50 per person. On average, that's about 90% less than what the government spends on research for similar conditions.” The goal of DSRTF on World Down Syndrome Day 2012 is to raise awareness about cognition research and raise desperately needed private funds through this matching program.

In addition to the 3:1 match DSRTF has several other activities planned. The Foundation will be hosting a webinar with Dr. Roger Reeves of Johns Hopkins University for an update on the ongoing Roche Pharmaceuticals clinical trial (the first of its kind) and other exciting research news updates. The complete webinar will be posted for viewing on the DSRTF website at http://www.dsrtf.org on March 22nd (registration for live participation is already full). Supporters can also join DSRTF and its host Down Syndrome International (DSI) for a live webcas t of DSI's celebration at the UN General Assembly tomorrow

Last, supporters can join DSRTF's plus15 campaign, a marketing campaign focused improving cognition for individuals with Down syndrome by 15%, by adding a plus15 "pin" to the plus15 World DS Day map. Supporters who want to add their pin should email plus15(at)dsrtf(dot)org with their first name, city/state/country, and a brief statement of what a 15% improvement in cognition could mean for their loved one who has Down syndrome.

About the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation:

The Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (DSRTF) is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Palo Alto, California, aimed at accelerating the development of treatments to significantly improve cognition, including memory, learning and speech, forindividuals with Down syndrome. DSRTF funds research at major research centers, including Johns Hopkins Medical Center, Stanford University, University of San Diego, and University of Arizona. Since its founding in 2004, DSRTF has generated more than $8 million to fund results-driven research programs that will benefit children and adults with Down syndrome. Supporters can follow DSRTF and it's plus15 campaign on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/plus15, now the 2nd largest DS community on Facebook.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/3/prweb9309448.htm