World Down Syndrome Day 2012

The Dubai Mall will mark World Down Syndrome Day in partnership with the UAE Down Syndrome Association from 21st to 23rd March, 2012. In its third year of partnership with the association, it will host a special art exhibition portraying works by people with the disorder. A series of workshops and knowledge sessions will also be held to further strengthen public awareness about the genetic disorder.

The UAE has one of the highest incidence rates of Down Syndrome with one in every 449 live births affected, compared with the global average of one in 800 to 1,000 newborns, according to a report.

To highlight the concern, the Dubai Mall will host a World Down Syndrome Day Walkathon open to the public on 23rd March, 2012. A number of dignitaries are expected to attend and several retailers in the mall are stepping forward to support the event. For more information please visit www.all4downsyndrome.com.

Saturday 17th March, 2012

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is celebrated all over the world on 21 March to signify the triplication of the 21st chromosome (hence 21 – 3). The awareness walk will be hosted on Saturday 17th March, 2012 to ensure as many of you can join as possible. The walk will start at 5:00pm from Gate 4, Safa Park. There will be balloons for kids and plenty of water for everyone. Each participant will be given a T-shirt.

This year the emphasize will be on how ‘You’, the community, can help make a difference. The caption says, “Down Syndrome – I can’t change… but You Can!” This comes from a quote from a teenage girl with Down Syndrome who said she couldn’t change that she had Down Syndrome, but she hopes that people will change the way they look, act and think about Down Syndrome.

We look forward to walking with you – please be there by 4:30pm for a prompt start!

For other events happening in and around Dubai
this month check out What’s On in March