Toledo community partners to support Down Syndrome Awareness Day

March 21st is Down Syndrome Awareness Day and a number of area businesses and schools are partnering with the Down syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT) to help out those people in the area living with Down syndrome.

“The opportunity for members of our community to come together on and around World Down Syndrome Day is incredibly impactful,” says Renee Canfield, Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo. “When business members, school administrators and teachers are enthusiastic about educating themselves, students, employees and patrons using accurate and current information about Down syndrome, real change happens. It is then that we begin to realize that people with Down syndrome are more alike their typical peers than different, and, together, we are truly making the Greater Toledo area a better place to live through compassion and understanding.”

Among the businesses participating is Thriller Ink on N. Reynolds Road. Patrons can show up starting at 10AM and get a tattoo from an artist who has a son with Down. Half of the proceeds from the tattoos will be donated to DSAGT.

If you're looking for something a little less permanent, Denny's Rossford is also participating in the event with a t-shirt drive to raise funds. All customers who purchase a custom-designed World Down Syndrome Day shirt at Denny’s Rossford from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on March 21 will receive 10% off their food bill.

Various school districts have also come together to raise awareness and will be participating in a variety of activities throughout the day.

World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day that started in 2006 and has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD, being the 21st day of the third month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.