May 8: Local Models Join “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin at Global Down Syndrome Foundation Fashion Show

More than 20 local children and teens with Down syndrome will model high-end fashion at Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s gala honoring U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Chris Van Hollen and featuring the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin and CNN’s Kyra Phillips and Fox News’ John Roberts.  The Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala on May 8 in Washington, D.C. helps raise awareness about the condition that affects one in 691 babies.

Congressional leaders, famous sports personalities and celebrities will escort models with Down syndrome in a fashion show that highlights the abilities and achievements of people with Down syndrome while raising money for research at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the first academic home in the U.S. solely committed to research and medical care for people with the condition.

The Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala will be at the Ritz-Carlton Washington DC, 1150 22nd Street N.W. The event begins at 6 p.m. May 8 with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, the fashion show and a live auction at 7:15 p.m. Capping the evening will be a performance by “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin.

McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Van Hollen, D-Md., are receiving the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award for their work to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome as co-chairs of the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus. Past award recipients include Sen. Tom Harkin and Rep. Pete Sessions, who were honored at the first Be Beautiful Be Yourself DC Gala in 2011.

“We are honored to be presenting the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award to two leaders who consistently stand up for the rights of the differently-abled and use their power to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome,” said Michelle Sie Whitten, executive director of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. “We need to educate our lawmakers in Washington about the disparity in research funding for Down syndrome, and encourage them to follow the lead of Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Chris Van Hollen.”

McMorris Rodgers’ son, Cole Rodgers, who happens to have Down syndrome, is the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s 2013 Ambassador. He will be joined at the event by past Ambassadors DeOndra Dixon and Alex Sessions, Pete Sessions’ son.

Despite being the most frequently occurring genetic condition, affecting 1 in 691 births in the U.S., Down syndrome is the least-funded genetic condition by the National Institutes of Health.

Sponsors of the Gala include: Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, Aflac, AT&T, Sharon Magness Blake & Ernie Blake, Tom & Betsy Blumenthal, Kristine Bomgaars, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Clear Channel, Comcast, Dish Network, Johnson & Johnson, NextEra Energy, Printing Industries, John & Cornelia Stephens and John Franklin Stephens, Time Warner Cable, Wal-Mart and the Whitten Family.

The Gala’s retail sponsor is Bloomingdale’s. For more information, go to www.globaldownsyndrome.org or www.BeBeautifulBeYourself.org or call 703-683-7500