Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN)

Kelsey McCann Doolen mom to rockin’ kiddo Kendall (2) and owner of Down to Play Dallas celebrated World Down Syndrome at their indoor playground! They have built this amazing inclusive play place for children of all abilities and hosted a smashingly successful event, benefiting DSDN. Their celebration included lots of family and friends as well as pizza, a photo booth, tattoo stand, crafts, raffles and more! Kelsey and DTP raised $760 through their raffle for DSDN and had a blast while doing so! Additionally, they have Thank you to all of our volunteers and fundraisers as they are the backbone of DSDN! We can't do what we do without the hundreds of people that volunteer their time, energy and ideas to us day in and day out. How will you celebrate World Down Syndrome Day next year?

Let's here from another DSDN parent: Sarah Bymers mom to rockin' kiddo Lucas (6 years old) celebrated in a BIG WAY! At her children's elementary school, they celebrated their character trait for the month of March a bit early so they could tie it together with World Down Syndrome Day. Their Assembly kicked off with the High School Best Buddies program. Those members talked to their students about kindness and how they show kindness to each other at school. They closed out the presentation with a large dance party with the students. Next, the Bymers family procured donors to provide each student with a pair of pals socks. Their oldest daughter talked about Down Syndrome and what it means to her. Lastly, they recognized their students for the month of March that represented the trait "Kindness" to the highest. Thank you for all the hard work everyone put in for a great event! How will you plan to celebrate WDSD next year?

World Down Syndrome Day 2025 was one for the books! This week we will hear from some of our amazing parents who are also part of the DSDN fundraising team, about what they did to celebrate and create more awareness! Katie Burwell (Affleck)- mom to rockin kiddo Tatum (2.5 years old) hosted a Spirit Night at their local Chick-Fil-A and it was a smashing success! They asked their community to rally from 5-7PM and 15% of the sales went back to her peer to peer fundraising for DSDN! There was not an empty seat in the dining room, and they are certain the drive through, and mobile orders were just as busy! Additionally, they had their friends, family and entire elementary school rock their pals socks (over 755 pairs)! It is incredible to see the entire community pull together for such an important day! It gives us a day to highlight awareness and acceptance for individuals with Down Syndrome! Did you or someone you know celebrate WDSD? If so, share below!

TODAY IS WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY!!!! *What is World Down Syndrome Day (3/21)? World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a global awareness day celebrated each year on March 21. This date signifies the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome. On this day, individuals and organizations worldwide come together to celebrate the lives of people with Down syndrome, promote inclusion, and advocate for their rights and well-being. The theme for WDSD varies each year, focusing on important aspects like accessibility, empowerment, and community. Learn more about WDSD: https://lnkd.in/gB7_Z53 *Why is 3/21 significant to DSDN? In addition to spreading awareness and advocating on WDSD, the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) was founded on World Down Syndrome Day in 2014 with a mission to support families receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis. Through our community-driven approach, we connect expectant and new parents—and the medical professionals who serve them—with resources, information, and a network of support. From personalized online groups to our annual Rockin’ Mom® and Rockin’ Dad™ Retreats, DSDN fosters a community where parents can find understanding, connection, and empowerment. As we approach our 11th anniversary, we reflect on the thousands of families we've supported over the years and our ongoing commitment to expand our reach. Looking ahead, DSDN is dedicated to connecting with even more expectant and new families while deepening our overall impact within the Down syndrome community. Learn more about DSDN: https://lnkd.in/gMeHiUwD Together we can make a lasting impact! Your generosity allows DSDN to continue supporting families and advocating for a world where all children with Down syndrome are valued and included. https://lnkd.in/gVkJ97jK

How can you show your support on WDSD 3.21? There are many ways you can participate in World Down Syndrome Day! From showing off colorful socks, using your own voice and platform to advocate, and participating in local events, you can help create a more accepting and inclusive world. Here are a few ways that you can join DSDN on that day. Gear Up! Check out the new shirts in the DSDN merch shop! Check out our WDSD and other shirts available in several styles and colors. Kids options available too! Get 15% off with the code WDSD2025 through March 21. https://lnkd.in/gd4hinWT Rock Your Socks: You'll often see people sporting their mismatched socks on WDSD to spark conversations about Down syndrome and to emphasize that we don't have to match to be friends. Join our social media celebration on March 21! Be on the lookout for our compilation video on March 21 that showcases our amazing Rockin' community!

We deeply value the contributions of other Down syndrome organizations and seek meaningful collaborations that align with DSDN’s mission. In 2024, we proudly sponsored and participated in the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, hosting two sharing sessions—one for moms and one for dads—and connecting with families and organizations in the exhibit hall. Our co-founder, Heather Bradley, was honored with NDSC’s Exceptional Meritorious Service Award for her significant contributions to the community. That same weekend, we represented DSDN at the NIH Down Syndrome Consortium meeting, working alongside other members to advance research and healthcare initiatives. At the 2024 Rockin’ Mom™ Retreat, we collaborated with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation to host a Research and Medical Care Roundtable featuring internationally renowned scientists and medical professionals. Finally, we are incredibly grateful to the Brett Boyer Foundation for their financial support and overall encouragement at last year’s Rockin’ Dad Retreat, and to our Rockin’ Mom Retreat sponsors: National Down Syndrome Society, National Down Syndrome Congress, GiGi's Playhouse Inc.- Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, LuMind IDSC Foundation, Ruby's Rainbow, All In, Inc. and Global Down Syndrome Foundation. Thank you for your support in 2024. We look forward to continued collaborations in 2025!

FY24 marked a significant milestone for our online support team. In June 2024, we proudly launched our very own DSDN Rockin’ Parents app, a game-changer for the families we serve. By transitioning our private, moderated online support groups off Facebook and into our own app, we've made a bold move that prioritizes new and expectant parents. The DSDN Rockin’ Parents app is not only completely ad-free, but it’s also free for parents to use, ensuring a supportive, distraction-free space for them to connect, share, and find the resources they need. As the app owners, we have the unique ability to make real-time changes based on the feedback we receive directly from our users. This means we can continue to improve the experience and keep it as relevant and helpful as possible for the families who depend on it. And as we move forward, we're committed to evolving and improving it, always with the needs of new and expectant parents at the forefront of our mission. We’re excited for what’s to come and grateful to have such a strong community helping shape the future of the DSDN Rockin' Parents app.

We are proud to share our FY24 Annual Report, showcasing the incredible growth and impact we achieved together. This progress was made possible by the unwavering dedication of our volunteers, fundrasiers, donors and staff. Highlights from FY24 include: * 1,000+ welcome gifts sent * 470 parents attended our treats * 340 parents connected to local support organizations through DSDN * 500+ Rockin' kids celebrated on our special media platforms View the report here: https://lnkd.in/giNPUR8w

Pals Socks Collaboration! Pals Socks our go-to for colorful, fun, mismatched socks. You'll often see people sporting their mismatched socks on World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) 3.21 to spark conversations about Down Syndrome and to emphasize that we don't have to match to be friends. This year we have 93 members collaborating with Pals Socks and we are in the middle of this Rock Your Socks campaign. $5 for each purchase goes back to DSDN! Your purchase of Pals Socks helps DSDN support and connect families online through the DSDN App at no cost to users, fuels our Rockin'Family Fund, and helps us provide resources such as: pregnancy gifts, welcome gifts, memorials, care gift cards, scholarships, adoption grants, and more! Do you have a pair of pals socks? If so, share a picture with us below! Grab a pair of socks here: https://lnkd.in/gveh7rk5

Our Support Team!!!! A dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer support team is a cornerstone for DSDN, allowing us to make a significant impact. Thank you to all of our support team, we couldn't do it without you!