UpSide Weekly No. 31

May 30, 2014 | No. 31

Thanks to our Sponsor

Run on Team MSDC in Historic Falmouth Race

The MDSC is aiming high and recruiting dedicated runners for the Falmouth Road Race this year.

We have goal of fielding a team of 25, and nine have already committed to run for Team MDSC. With only 11 weeks away until race day, training and fundraising efforts are in full swing.

The historic New Balance Falmouth Road Race's 7-mile course follows along the pristine Cape Cod coastline! The event, in its 42nd year, will be held August 17, 2014.

Please contact us if you want to run for a cause you believe in and help promote acceptance and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome. For more information email MDSC Executive Assistant Jacquie Sherman at race@mdsc.org.

Check out the Falmouth Road Race website here and click the map below for a detailed, interactive course map.

Community Fundraiser Season in Full Swing

MDSC Board member Kim Dever organized a community fundraiser at Bradbury's Boutique in Braintree earlier this month. The event included brunch, snacks, and drinks. Owner Pat Bradbury donated a percentage of proceeds to MDSC and the event raised over $600 to support MDSC programs and services!

Two other longstanding community fundraisers are upcoming.

The 10th Annual CJ's Spring Swing Charity Golf Tournament will be held June 6 at the New England Country Club in Bellingham. The event is organized by Sandra and Sean Buckley, and raises money for organizations that have supported their son CJ, including the MDSC.

The 9th Annual Patrick McLaughlin Memorial Tournament, organized by Doug Murphy will be held June 16 at the Easton Country Club. The event raises funds to support MDSC programs and services.

Community Fundraisers are events organized by individuals who want

to become more involved in the Down syndrome community, promote acceptance and inclusion, and support the mission of the

MDSC. The event could vary from anything such as a lemo

nade stand to a 5k race or a dinner party... the choice is yours! If you're planning your own community fundraiser or want more information, e-mail Becca Canavan at communityfundraisers@mdsc.org

Business Council Chair to Host Golf-a-Thon

On June 2, the award-winning course at the Turner Hill Golf Club will again be the location for an charity golf-a-thon to raise funds for the MDSC.

Now in its seventh incarnation, the event is hosted by Paul Karrlsson-Willis, chair of the MDSC Business Advisory Council (pictured below).

He is looking to build on the event's previous success, having raised upwards of $750,000 to date. Sponsored by ITG Canada, the tournament raises money through personal fundraising and major sponsorship from global and local businesses. Donations may be made here.

Twenty teams of four will take the course, rain or shine, in a bramble style tournament complete with awards and incentives for participants.

This year the MDSC is excited to welcome Bruins star Bob Sweeney as our celebrity golfer who will participate in a special one-hole challenge with a million dollars on the line for a potential winner. The Bruins favorite will also be lending a hand to a team out on the course.

Self advocates John Dunleavy and John Anton will be featured speakers at a formal awards dinner following the tournament.

MDSC Runners Prove to be 'Down Syndrome Strong'

Ten Marathoners Go Above & Beyond to Support Ds Programs

It was an incredible year for Team MDSC Boston Marathon runners. A year after the tragic events at the finish of the historic event, Boston Strong proved to be more than just a slogan, it was who we are as a city. The MDSC was proud to have runners who exemplified that spirit.

One particular family, the fathers-son Wagoner duo, stands out. Jim & Colby, along with the other members of their family, traveled by motor home from Fresno, California to support the MDSC. Imagine a 150 lb. man pushing his 240 lb. son (not including an 80 lb. racing chair). That would be hard enough to do around the block. Jim did it for 26.2 miles, including up Heartbreak Hill. He finished in 6 hours, 33 minutes. All to raise awareness about the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Team Wagoner alone brought in more than half of the MDSC's total fundraising for the event helping us surpass our goal! (Read Jim Wagoner's recollection of his trip, "Boston Strong Adventure.")

Our runners all had different stories, but they were united by one common passion: to support individuals with Down syndrome. Please join us in thanking them for their remarkable commitment and generosity.

Thank you also to the many MDSC members who gathered in West Newton on Marathon Monday to cheer on each of our runners as they finished Mile 17 and took off for Heartbreak Hill!

Over 200 Gather to Make a Difference at MDSC's 1st Advocacy Day on Beacon Hill

The MDSC's first Advocacy Day on Tuesday surpassed our expectations bringing together more than 200 advocates, legislators and supporters at the State House to help us pass the National Background Check bill.

Families young and old, self-advocates, and others came together to make sure that our voices were heard loud and clear. The biggest surprise of the day was the public announcement by both Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo who vowed to support the National Background Check bill when it comes to a vote.

Speaker DeLeo won the MDSC's first "Legislative Champion of the Year" Award. The event was emceed by Fox25 reporter and anchor Heather Hegedus. Thanks to everyone who climbed Beacon Hill to support our efforts and those legislators who met with them.

In fact, even if you weren't able to make it to the State House with us, it's NOT too late to make a difference. We just learned that our priority National Background Check Bill is going to the Legislature's Ways & Means Committee. And with limited time left in the legislative session, we need your senators and representatives to hear from you that this bill MUST pass. See this Action Alert and make your calls on Monday.

See the full Program of Events here.
Watch our video playlist that includes most of the formal ceremonies here
Check out the photos and other posts on our Facebook page
Watch below some TV coverage from WWLP in Springfield

Deadline Approaching to Sign Up for 2 DADS Events:

Golf-a-Thon (Easton) & Family Outing (Westford)

Calling all golfers and friends of D.A.D.S. of Massachusetts!

Registration Deadline approaching for June 23 tournament

Our DADS affiliate is coming down the home stretch and close to having to provide a golfer count to Easton Country Club. If you are interested in participating in what is the DADS group's largest fundraiser of the year and getting in a great round of golf on Monday, June 23rd please fill out the Registration form below. Please contact Jeff Ouimette at 617-999-5771 or jeff.ouimette@massbio.org with any questions.

Celebrate Father's Day weekend with D.A.D.S. at Annual Family Outing

RSVP Deadline Tomorrow, Sunday, June 1

On Saturday, June 14 from 11am to 4pm, you and your family can gather on Father's Day weekend for a true family-friendly event. DADS, an affiliate of the MDSC will hold its annual Family Outing at Kimball Farm in Westford.

For $10 per person, you get a full lunch, ice cream buffet, 3 bumper boat rides, $8 swipe cards (FREE, limit of two per family) for use in the arcade and/or batting cages and unlimited use of the golf driving range, sand volleyball court, horseshoe and tug of war pits, and unlimited use of two 18-hole mini golf courses. The dunk tank is back by popular demand. Kids under two are free.

An all-day Animal Adventure Pass is available for free (let Jeff know at the event). There will also possibly be a "bouncy house" for the little ones. D.A.D.S. will have its own tent(s) for the more than 400 anticipated attendees. RSVP's are required by June 1. Please contact Jeff Roback at dadsmass@yahoo.com if you plan to attend. Check-in on Saturday, June 14 will be from 10:15 to 11:00am. After 11:00am the FREE $8 swipe cards will be unavailable. When replying please indicate the age of children attending.

Be a Ds Champion - Make a Difference at Any or All of the MDSC's Three Buddy Walks this Year

If you want to make a significant difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families this year, join an MDSC Buddy Walk in 2014.

As the premiere statewide organization for Down syndrome information, advocacy and networking, we at the MDSC are working each and every day on behalf of you and your loved ones.

In 2014, you can join any or all of our three Buddy Walks to support our mission and make a difference for your loved ones.

4th Buddy Walk by the Sea in Falmouth (July 27)
2nd Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair in Uxbridge (Sept. 21)
18th Buddy Walk & Family Festival in Wakefield (Oct. 12)

MDSC Grandparents Gather Throughout State

Grandparents play an important and special role in families! Please join us for informal get-togethers in supportive atmospheres where you can meet other Grandparents, learn more about Down syndrome and discover and share helpful resources.

NORWOOD

Second Saturday of each month

June 21, 2014

September 13, 2014

October 18, 2014

November 8, 2014

January 10, 2015

10 - 11am

Norwood Public Library

33 Walpole Street (Route 1A)

Norwood, MA 02062

RSVP TO: Kathy Lapsley

dsgrandsnorwood@yahoo.com

CENTERVILLE

Saturday, June 7

Saturday, September 6

Saturday, November 1

10 - 11:30am

Centerville Library

585 Main Street

Centerville, MA 02632

RSVP TO: Barbara Sherman barbarasherman@gmail.com

Note: The Grandparents will be meeting to walk together at the MDSC Buddy Walk by the Sea in Falmouth on Sunday, July 27 at 9:30am - see www.mdsc.org for more details

WILBRAHAM

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

7 - 8pm

Wilbraham Public Library

Crane Park (off of Main Street)

Wilbraham, MA 01095

RSVP TO: Sue Laing

dsgrandparents@gmail.com

BOSTON

Meets Quarterly

Contact Roberta Hoke for details

617-296-9133

punzel1241@aol.com

Remembering Paul Epstein

We were terribly saddened earlier this month to share that one of our families who has been close to the MDSC, Marc and Annette Epstein, lost their 10 year old son, Paul, with Down syndrome. Paul's parents have been an inspiration to so many of us at the MDSC with their persistent work to make a difference in the lives of others. Last year, they spearheaded an effort to bring a baby with Down syndrome from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. to undergo critical heart surgery, including opening up their home to provide a loving supportive environment for the family during their stay. The MDSC and the Red Sox honored the Epstein family at a Red Sox game last year. Marc and Annette have done countless of other kind deeds for our MDSC community. Most recently, they organized - as they do every year - a trip to a special circus for people with disabilities for our families to enjoy.

Even when working on projects that helped others, their love and care for Paul was at the center of everything they did. Services for Paul were held at the Levine Chapel in Brookline on May 15 and he was buried in a ceremony at Lindwood Memorial Park in Randolph. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that remembrances be made to Paul's page at www.Guardianangelmotorsports.com to continue his legacy of helping other children in need. You (and your laugh, which you can witness below) will be missed Paul.

INFORMATION	PARTICIPATE	SUPPORT US	RESOURCES
About the MDSC	Attend an Event	Donate Now	New Parents
About Down Syndrome	Host a Fundraiser	Memorial/ Tribute Gifts	Expectant Parents
Programs	Advocate	Corporate Partnerships	Support Groups
Legislative Platform	Stay Connected	Sponsorships	Educators
	Volunteer	Circle of Giving Society	Self-Advocates