Be Beautiful Be Yourself Global Down Syndrome Foundation DC Gala

The Gala features a fashion show with models who happen to have Down syndrome escorted by elected representatives, professional athletes and Hollywood celebrities.

At each Gala, Global honors two members of Congress with the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award – honorees are advocates for people with Down syndrome and the differently-abled. Past recipients have included Reps. Patrick Kennedy, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Pete Sessions, Chris Van Hollen and Sens. Jerry Moran and Tom Harkin. Global Ambassadors have included DeOndra Dixon, Alex Sessions, Cole Rodgers and Katherine Felicia Norton.

Past musical performers have included Sheryl Crow, Leona Lewis and Gladys Knight.

The Gala underwrites groundbreaking research and medical care funded by Global at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome – including research into the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome. Despite being the most frequent chromosomal condition – affecting an estimated 400,000 Americans – Down syndrome is one of the least-funded genetic conditions by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Global is working closely with the NIH to address this disparity while raising critical funds to enhance the lives of those with the condition through life-changing research and medical care.

Previous Be Beautiful Be Yourself Global Down Syndrome Foundation DC Galas

2014
2013
2012
2011