National Down Syndrome Society

09/06/2026

In honor of , we're excited to announce Clifford's Reading Corner is back for the 2026 NYC Buddy Walk and will feature live readings by authors Sofia Sanchez, Ebbe Bassey, and Morgan Kawakami! 🥳

🚨 Registration for the walk closes Tuesday, September 8 at 12 PM ET. Don't miss out! Register at ndss.org/nyc-buddy-walk-tsv

09/03/2026

There's a new way to support NDSS! 🥳 We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Upside, a free cash back app that rewards you for everyday purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. When you earn cash back through Upside, you can donate those rewards to help individuals with Down syndrome thrive.

To celebrate this new partnership, Upside is generously matching up to $25,000 in donations made, so head to ndss.org/upside for instructions on how to download the app, join our team, and start earning cash back!

09/02/2026

“I’m glad that it brings awareness locally as well,” Danny Chance said. “Maybe it can help with other families with children with Down syndrome and show them there is hope there, you know, to include them there, you know, to be inclusive. So we’re pretty excited.”

Read more about Presley Kate Chance’s family’s reaction to her being selected for the 2026 Times Square Video Presentation at

West Monroe eight-year-old Presley Kate Chance has been selected from over 2,700 entries to represent those with down syndrome in Times Square on September 12.

08/30/2026

Charlotte got her lifesaving transplant, but what she learned about the organ transplant system afterward led her to fight for change in Congress. 𝗡𝗢𝗪 is the time to pass the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act! Charlotte’s bill will protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in the organ transplant system and ensure that everyone is able to access the lifesaving care they need. Charlotte’s bill will be considered for passage in the Senate soon, and we need 𝗬𝗢𝗨 to contact your Senators and tell them why it is critical to support this legislation.

❤️ Use our Action Alert to message your Senators at ndss.org/ndss-action-alerts

08/29/2026

We're officially two weeks out from the NYC Buddy Walk and are thrilled to announce that Jittipat Thongprasert, Cynthia & Zoey Rosado, and Chris Wragge will all be part of the celebrations!

💙 Jittipat Thongprasert, also known as “Super Hammy,” is a 23-year-old saxophonist and content creator from Thailand. He is currently a senior at Kasetsart University, where he majors in Western Music in the Faculty of Humanities. Super Hammy has Down syndrome and is dedicated to developing his skills and pursuing his passions through music and various creative activities. Super Hammy began learning the saxophone at the age of 14 under the guidance of Thanandorn Chooprakai of Music Arcadia. Over the years, he has continued to develop his musical skills and has gained extensive experience performing for live audiences. He has been
invited by various organizations to perform at numerous events and has also appeared on television programs and online media."

💛 "My name is Cynthia and Zoey is my 11-year-old daughter, who has Down syndrome, and has always loved music, dancing, and Zumba! As a Zumba instructor for over 15 years, sharing my love of dance with her is one of my greatest joys. Started teaching in PR and then in Deltona, Fl, where we currently live. We are so proud and excited to share this special moment together in New York at the upcoming Buddy Walk, surrounded by all our amazing Down syndrome families. This is like a big dream come true, to not just see her face in Times Square, but to dance in Central Park with all of you."

💙 A long time supporter of NDSS, Chris Wragge co-anchors CBS2 News This Morning and CBS2 News At Noon with Mary Calvi.

There's still time to register and join us at the NYC Buddy Walk on September 12! Get event details and register at ndss.org/nyc-buddy-walk-tsv

08/25/2026

“When I first met Koji – I was blown away by his enthusiasm, his zest for life, and his engaging and charismatic presence. Koji has a sense of adventure that reminds me of how exciting life can truly be.

At the same time I met Koji, I met Dr. Thomas Buckley and The Roland Center (TRC) team. The Roland Center is a Southern California-based provider, offering a full spectrum of community-based supports for individuals with IDD. TRC’s specific focus under the leadership of Dr. Buckley, is providing complex and nuanced services tailored specifically to an individuals’ diagnosis and circumstances, with the aim of maximizing their quality and longevity of life.

I was invited to join TRC’s team and create a documentary about Koji, who with the support of Dr. Buckley and his wife Kathy, was about to embark on one final international voyage to Hong Kong, to be reunited with his remaining, living, family. What made Koji’s story special is that he was able to embark on this adventure – despite living with both Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. Koji’s story emphasizes the fact that life shouldn’t end prematurely for people due to a diagnosis. It is our duty as support providers to educate and empower ourselves to the degree that Koji’s story is not the exception, but the rule.

Koji’s film, ‘The Last Stamp’, is a story of hope, dignity and resilience, that we at TRC hope inspires individuals, caregivers, providers, advocates and policymakers to pursue and fight for, what is right over what is easy.
As the Director of Communications & Advancement at The Roland Center, and the Director/ Producer of ‘The Last Stamp’, it has been my honor to assist Koji with sharing his story.

The film is currently touring nationally and is also available for short term streaming, by way of donation, on the film’s webpage at www.thelaststampfilm.com (link in bio).

For more information about The Roland Center, please visit: www.therolandcenter.org.”

08/24/2026

🧠 Join NDSS and Dr. Beau Ances, a neurologist and leading researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, on 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟲:𝟬𝟬-𝟳:𝟯𝟬 𝗣𝗠 𝗘𝗧, as he shares about current clinical trials in Down syndrome-associated Alzheimer’s disease (DS-AD).

Gain a clearer understanding of why clinical research matters, what participation in upcoming clinical trials will involve, why families choose to participate, and why researchers are optimistic about the future of DS-AD research.

Register for free at https://ndss.org/ndss-webinars

08/20/2026

We're excited to announce Monika Myers will be joining NDSS at the 2026 NYC Buddy Walk! 🥳

Monika Myers is a trailblazing Canadian model, actor, speaker, and advocate who is inspiring the world through her talent, determination, and message of inclusion. At age 14, Monika became Canada’s first professional runway model with Down syndrome and has since walked runways in Toronto, New York, and Paris while appearing in international publications. Monika made her feature film debut as Lady Diana in Reminders of Him from Universal Pictures, earning praise for her performance and comedic timing.

As a passionate advocate and ambassador for inclusion, Monika uses her voice to inspire change and empower others. She has delivered the keynote address for the United Nations World Down Syndrome Day conference, where she shared her journey and her message that every person has the ability to achieve their dreams when given the opportunity. Through her initiative, I AM BRAVE AND BEAUTIFUL, Monika inspires others to embrace their uniqueness, believe in themselves, and pursue their dreams.

Register at the link below to join us at the Walk on Saturday, September 12!
🗽https://ndss.org/nyc-buddy-walk-tsv

08/17/2026

– Meet Kay!

“When I think about what it means for Kay to thrive, I think about the small moments that might seem ordinary to someone else, but to our family are reminders of just how strong and incredible she is.

Kay is 5 years old and has Down syndrome, autism, hearing loss, and type 1 diabetes. She has faced challenges that many people will never understand, but she continues to show us what strength, courage, and determination look like.

Kay was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2024. She wears a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump every day. These devices are a constant reminder that diabetes is always part of her life, but she has never let it stop her from being a joyful, funny, loving little girl.

There are moments when I look at her and think, ‘Wow… she is amazing.’ She handles pokes, alarms, changes, and the emotions that come with diabetes with a level of bravery that I am not sure I would have at her age and has taught our family that strength doesn’t always look big or dramatic. Sometimes it looks like getting up every morning and continuing to be yourself, even when life asks more of you than it should.

Kay is also lucky to have her furry best friend, Maeve, by her side. Maeve helps support Kay’s safety and gives her comfort through extra snuggles and companionship. Their bond is a beautiful reminder that support can come in many forms and that Kay is surrounded by people and animals who believe in her.

Kay is preparing for kindergarten and continues to surprise us with everything she accomplishes. She was recently chosen to be featured in the NDSS Times Square Video Presentation, an honor that celebrates who she is and the impact she has already made. Being part of this community and participating in the NYC Buddy Walk allows us to celebrate Kay, stand alongside families who understand inclusion and acceptance, and reminds us that every person with Down syndrome has a story worth sharing.

Kay’s story isn’t just about challenges, but joy, courage, love, and a little girl who continues to show the world that she belongs exactly as she is.” – Jessica Drake, Kay’s mom