Down Syndrome Assoc. donates to GMH

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - One in a thousand children in the United States is born with Down Syndrome -known as Trysomi 21.  Today is World Down Syndrome Day.  3-21 represents the three copies of Chromosome 21 which is unique to people with the disorder. 

In an effort to give back to the community, the Guam Down Syndrome Association donated a refrigerator to the Guam Memorial Hospital's Nursery and stethoscopes and DVDs to the Pediatric Ward this afternoon. Association president Vicki Arriola and public relations officer Nacrina Mendiola say the support group aims to help families with loved ones with Down Syndrome.

Arriola said, "Basically, we're there just to say this is what I went through...you may want to ask your doctor so we're mainly there for support."

"We just want people to know that we're here for you. You can contact us anytime and we're also kicking off a campaign this week with our awareness posters," said Mendiola said. We'll be hitting the clinics, schools and Public Health with our awareness posters, contact information and general information on Down Syndrome."

For more information about the Guam Down Syndrome Association you can logon to their website at DownSyndromeGuam.com.