At NDSS, we had an amazing day on March 21 for World Down Syndrome Day! Here are some highlights from this year's celebrations:

• World Down Syndrome Day was a big day for the NDSS Facebook page, with our most popular post ever! The post has over 9,000 shares, over 6,000 likes and over 120 comments, which have yielded over one million impressions.  
• We premiered a new 3:21 t-shirt video, which includes submitted photos from families in their 3:21 gear. 
• NDSS joined advocates from around the world at the United Nations for the second annual World Down Syndrome Day conference. NDSS DS-Ambassador John Anton spoke about his internship on Capitol Hill at Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers' (R-WA) office.
• In Boston, MA, NDSS VP of Marketing Julie Cevallos and NDSS Goodwill Ambassador Chris Burke attended the premiere of the My Great Story Video Project, which also launched on our website on World Down Syndrome Day. 
• CNN covered the My Great Story Video Project, highlighting one story and posting images and quotes from each of the families in the My Great Story Video Project.
• In New York, NY, the NDSS Young Leadership Event was a success!  
• NBC Today Show Co-Host Savannah Guthrie covered World Down Syndrome Day on Today.com in a moving piece about her Uncle Pierce and included a link to the My Great Story campaign.
• Lots of people have shared their World Down Syndrome Day stories with the My Great Story campaign's 3/21 section (it's not to late too share yours too!).   

Since 2005, NDSS has provided financial assistance to young adults with Down syndrome who choose to take classes or enroll in postsecondary educational programs, through the O'Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund. Congratulations to this year's O'Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund recipients! Eleven outstanding students who have Down syndrome were awarded scholarships to help cover the cost of their postsecondary or enrichment courses, including Geoffrey Steggell of Newark, DE. Here's what Geoffrey had to say about his college experience. 

Every family has a story...and every locket tells a story! Origami Owl Independent Designer Lisa Wilen has partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society to do an online fundraiser in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21. Lisa has several friends who have children with Down syndrome and she is paying it forward by generously donating 20% of sales from her website to NDSS from now until April 15.

The 5th Annual Buddy Walk® Conference is approaching quickly. We are putting the finishing touches on what will be a time to invigorate, encourage and enrich Walk Organizers from across the country. The conference will take place on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET and you can attend from your home or office - wherever you are!

NDSS is proud to be recognized by the Run Walk Ride Conference, a national event organized by the Cause Marketing Forum, which was held in March. Once again, NDSS is ranked alongside the nation's leading charitable organizations, and was the 10th fastest growing program in 2012!

NDSS would like to recognize our 2012 National Buddy Walk® Partners for their incredible support of the Down syndrome community and the 250 Walks that took place around the country and overseas this year. We are excited to announce two new national sponsors for the 2013 Buddy Walk Season:  BandAbout and GoodThreads. For a complete list of our national partners and their contributions to the Buddy Walk, please visit our National Buddy Walk® Partners page or Pinterest board. 

NDSS hosted our annual Buddy Walk® on Washington on March 13 - 14 in Washington, DC. The two-day advocacy event brought over 220 individuals from across the country to our nation's capital to advocate for legislative priorities that positively impact the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families. Advocates from the Down syndrome community met with more than 300 members of Congress to bring our issues to the forefront of their agendas. A special thanks goes to the advocates from around the country that took part in the 2013 Buddy Walk® on Washington. If you weren't able to join us, you can do your part to advocate for people with Down syndrome by taking action to contact your senators and representatives about our 2013 legislative priorities.

The NDSS DS-Ambassador program is a 50-state initiative that supports our mission to advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. NDSS DS-Ambassadors are volunteer advocates committed to taking part in the democratic process and serve as liaisons between NDSS and their respective Congressional Delegations. The goal of the DS-Ambassador program is to build long-lasting relationships with US Senators and US Representatives to continue to raise awareness, educate and advocate for public policy solutions that benefit the Down syndrome community. Each month, DS-Ambassadors are asked to work with NDSS on special assignments to advance the organization's advocacy efforts and to share their story with important decision makers. Are you interested in becoming an NDSS DS-Ambassador?  Email NDSS VP of Advocacy & Affiliate Relations Sara Weir to learn more. 

NDSS is pleased to announce the release of our new publication, Aging and Down Syndrome: A Health & Well-Being Guidebook, available online and in print - free of charge. This groundbreaking resource for families and caregivers of adults with Down syndrome covers medical issues commonly encountered in adulthood, as well as how to provide person-centered care.