Donate today and together we can make a difference for families of children with Down syndrome.

Just a small donation will go a long way to helping me meet my goal for Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network.

DSDN is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit operated by two paid staff members and over 150 volunteers and funded by generous donations from supporters like you.

Receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis, prenatal or at birth is still fairly uncommon. Roughly, 1 in 700 children are born with Down syndrome. And, there is a significant amount of misunderstanding and lack of information available to new parents.

Some prenatal diagnoses result in termination, due to lack of information, education and support. My doctor told me that there wasn't much quality of life, especially with a heart defect, for my child. He gave me no resources to educate myself about Down syndrome and parenting a child with Down syndrome. I left feeling sad, heartbroken and depressed. That's certainly not how a new mom should be experiencing her pregnancy or the birth of her child.

How great it would have been to have had the DSDN materials available to me at that appointment. More fundraising means more opportunity for DSDN to get materials and awareness out to OBGYN offices to share with their patients. And hopefully less negative diagnosis stories like mine.

Additionally, DSDN doesn't stop support there. In fact, I discovered them by happenstance. I was shopping and discussing Piper's diagnosis with someone who then introduced me to another person who had a son with Down syndrome. She raved about DSDN and sent me th info to connect. I was reluctant at first. I am not much of a support group kinda gal. But, I was desperate for understanding from my community when Piper was diagnosed with a heart condition that would require open heart surgery. I was connected to an online group of moms with children in the same age group as Piper, people to walk along this journey with and also a group of moms with kiddos who had heart conditions. A wealth of knowledge and support became available to me, and in time, I was able to contribute my own knowledge to help others.

And, once a year, DSDN creates an opportunity for moms to get together in person and connect, network and, yes, relax and refresh. It's an awesome way to see those you have "known" face to face, learn tips, gain guidance, feel accepted and understood and soak in the strength of community and take it with you when you return home.

That is just a piece of my personal story. Below is some more info that is super important about DSDN too!

Check out our most recent Annual Report for more specifics on how we allocate funds.

YOUR DONATION ENABLES DSDN TO:

• Support and connect thousands of families online
• Fuel our Rockin' Family Fund through:
  • Pregnancy Gifts
  • Welcome Gifts
  • Memorials
  • Care Gift Cards
  • Scholarships
  • Adoption Grants
  • Gifts to local organizations
• Provide opportunities for parents to connect, be inspired and recharge at our annual Rockin' Mom™ and Dad retreats
• Talk with with medical providers about the diagnosis conversation across the US at national and regional conferences
• Work with OB/GYN residents and medical providers on how to deliver an unexpected diagnosis
• Mail print materials free of charge to local organization, medical providers and families
• Reach thousands of new families joining the Ds community each year
• Connect rockin' families to local organizations