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Birthday Celebrations

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

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DSAOC celebrated the birth of 73 new babies born with Down syndrome in Orange County during 2009.  The boys came in ahead with 41, compared to 32 girls.  Congratulations to all the new parents!

A big thank you goes to the DSAOC Hospital Outreach Committee for their ongoing work with local hospitals and healthcare providers to help identify these births and coordinate early parent contacts.

DSAOC Awarded Grant

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

DSAOC has been notified that it will be awarded a $5,000 grant from the Pacific Life Foundation.  The funds are to be used to support DSAOC’s healthcare programs.  The grant will be formally presented during an awards ceremony at the PLF headquarters in Newport Beach on January 25th.index_03

THANK YOU!

Congratulations on 10th Anniversary

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

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The Children and Families Commission of Orange County is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010.  With funding from Proposition 10, the Commission has been able to support organizations and projects that help the youngest members of society get a solid start in life.

DSAOC programs such as, Mano a Mano, Partners in Education, and our new pediatric healthcare program have all received funding from the Commission this year.  THANK YOU!

January Series Topic Announced

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
 
Dr. Anthony Chang

Dr. Anthony Chang

Anthony Chang, MD, MBA, MPH – Medical Director at the CHOC Heart Institute will be the guest speaker for our next session of the DSAOC Healthcare Series

Scheduled for 6:30 – 8:00 PM, on Wednesday, January 20th at the DSAOC Center, the topic will be Cardiac Disease in Children and Young Adults with Down Syndrome

We’re sure there will be alot of interest, so register early to make sure you have a seat.  To register call DSAOC at 714-540-5794, or click here.

“Adventures in Wonderland”

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

 

alice1Don’t be late for a very important date!
Sixth Annual DSAOC Red Carpet Ball

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Saturday, February 27th
DoubleTree Hotel, 201 East MacArthur Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92707

For teens and adults with Down syndrome 15 years and older.
Call DSAOC for more info and to register.

Happy New Year!

Friday, January 1st, 2010

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Wishing you a happy, healthy, and safe new year!

 

From the DSAOC Board & Staff

 

First Graduates from Mano a Mano Class

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

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Our new DSAOC Mano a Mano (Hand in Hand) Class recognized its first graduates in December.  The 10 week program, funded with support from the Children & Families Commission of Orange County, is focused on our Spanish speaking families.  Designed to enhance early literacy for children (3-6 years of age), while also helping the parents better understand the IEP process and improve their own language skills. 

CONGRATULATIONS to the graduates; and many THANKS to our Mano a Mano Team teachers: Monica Lucero, Yessica Gandara, Cristina Mamac, and Analiz Pulido.

DSAOC Awarded Grant

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

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In November, DSAOC was awarded a $10,000 grant through the Orange County Community Foundation.

In cooperation with private donors, the Foundation has been working for more than 20 years to improve the quality of life here in our community.

THANK YOU!

300 Join Santa for Breakfast

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

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Our annual holiday event was a great success again this year with more than 300 people dropping by to chat with Santa this past Saturday morning. 

To view some of the photos taken during the breakfast just click here:  Breakfast with Santa 2009

Many thanks to the DoubleTree Hotel, the Volunteer Clowns of Orange County, and our always fabulous volunteers!

Check Out Buddy Walk Photos

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

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A big thank you to the volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, and participants that helped make Buddy Walk a great success again this year!  And, a special shout out to the Team Captains that work so hard!

Buddy Walk contributions will still be accepted through the end of this year, so there’s still time.  We’ll keep you updated.

Be sure to check out the first of our photos from the 2009 Buddy Walk.  It was a beautiful day and these are beautiful photos!  These were all taken by photographer Terrie Tavis.

Click here (use password: sunshine) to view 2009 Buddy Walk Photos.

OCTLA Silent Auction Contribution

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
Jacob Braun (Age 21, Tustin)

Jacob Braun (Age 21, Tustin)

  
The Orange County Trial Lawyers Association  generously donated more than $20,000 to DSAOC from a Silent Auction conducted at their Annual OCTLA Top Gun Awards Dinner held at the Balboa Bay Club on Saturday, November 21st.  Board President – Gerard Jensen was joined by Jacob Braun in representing DSAOC at the event.  Jacob did us proud and received a standing ovation following his comments to the audience. 

Thank you to the Officers, Board, and Members of the OCTLA for making this contribution possible.

Healthcare Series Off To Great Start

Friday, November 20th, 2009

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Parents filled the room on November 18th for the inaugural session of DSAOC’s new Healthcare Series.  Dr. Ira Lott spoke to the group on the topic of Down Syndrome: A Link Between Development and Aging

Stay tuned for more updates on these informative sessions focused on a wide variety of healthcare issues related to Down syndrome.  The next one is scheduled for January 20th.

Partners in Education Invites Your Help!

Friday, November 13th, 2009

homepage-resources-educatorsThe DSAOC Partners in Education program connects educators, therapists, paraprofessionals, and school/district administrators with the training, resources, and support they need to help educate students with Down syndrome.  During the past year, the program has been successful in establishing many of these connections at the district and SELPA level throughout Orange County. 

We are now recruiting parents to assist in the outreach activities.  Would you like to join us, or maybe just learn more about the effort? 

Call the Center at 714-540-5794, or email sames@dsaoc.org to find out more.

Buddy Walk Entertainment Line-up

Friday, November 6th, 2009
Kim Holloway & daughter Olivia

Kim Holloway & daughter Olivia

 
In addition to our headliners – THE ENGLISH BEAT…we’ll also have some other exciting live entertainment for you on Buddy Walk Sunday, including Chelsey Sanchez, and the DagumDragon Band with Kim Holloway. 
Schedule of Events
9:00 AM – Registration/Field Access Opens
10:00 AM – Live Entertainment: Chelsey Sanchez
11:00 AM – Buddy Walk
12:00 PM – Live Entertainment: DagumDragon Band
1:00 PM – Live Entertainment: The English Beat
2:00 PM – Event Closes

Chelsey Sanchez & brother Bryce

Chelsey Sanchez & brother Bryce

Remember – lunch will be on your own so we invite you to bring a picnic.  The stadium will also have a concession stand open near Gate 1 for food purchases.  Plus we’ll have lots of your favorite snacks located in booths around the field.  Water will also be available for everyone on the field. 
We’ll see you on Sunday!

Buddy Walk Will Be Broadcast Live

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Even buddy-walk-crowdif you can’t join us at the Buddy Walk this weekend – here’s the next best thing. 

In collaboration with iBN Sports, we are excited to announce that we will be broadcasting live from the DSAOC website. 

This will be our first live broadcast and we know it will enhance our efforts to expand visibility and public awareness. 

So have your friends and family tune in to watch the festivities and live entertainment on the field, as well as all the teams finishing the walk.

BUDDY WALK LIVE

Edwards Lifesciences Grant to DSAOC

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

 

Michael Mussallem - Edwards Lifesciences CEO (center), with Tres Heald and Lanny Hardy

Michael Mussallem - Edwards Lifesciences CEO (center), with Tres Heald-DSAOC Bd. Mbr., and Lanny Hardy

 The Edwards Lifesciences Fund recognized DSAOC as the recipient of one of it’s 2009 community grants during an Awards Reception held on November 12th at their corporate offices. 

Headquartered in Irvine, the company annually provides philanthropic support to local nonprofit organizations in order to advance a variety of worthy projects in the communities where their employees live and work.  

The grant will be used to help fund DSAOC’s initiative to provide healthcare programming for parents and outreach activities to medical professionals.

Legislative Action Alert

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

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The Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act of 2009 (“21 Act”) has been introduced in Congress and is aimed at expanding, intensifying, and coordinating Down syndrome translational research across the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other Federal agencies. 

The NDSS Public Policy Center has issued an Action Alert asking for assistance in identifying and securing more co-sponsors for the legislation.  To learn more about the bill and how you can help by contacting your Congressional Representatives: “21 Act” – ACTION ALERT

Kid’s Health Magazine

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

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DSAOC’s new alliance with CHOC Children’s is highlighted as a featured story in their upcoming fall issue of Kid’s Health

Announcing the new pediatric Down syndrome healthcare program, the article discusses how it’s designed to provide thorough evaluations, assess each child’s particular medical issues, and coordinate access to a team of medical specialists. 

Work on establishing this alliance began more than a year ago and it’s been a top priority for DSAOC.   We look forward to this becoming the model “one stop” program in the region, that offers comprehensive care through a weekly outpatient clinic; assists parents in navigating the healthcare system; and educates referring healthcare providers and families to the unique medical needs of children with Down syndrome. 

To read the article: Kid’s Health Fall-2009

Weekend Event Raises Awareness & Funds

Monday, October 19th, 2009
Tyler Orbaker, age 6

Tyler Orbaker, age 6

Thanks go to Kevin Orbaker and his family for organizing an event this past weekend at Rudy’s Pub & Grill in Foothill Ranch to help support DSAOC and raise Down syndrome awareness. 

With help from KROQ and DJ Lighting, the event included a free concert by the U2 tribute band, The Joshua Tree.  The event also raised funds with donations going to DSAOC.  Great work Kevin and thanks to all involved – it’s much appreciated! 

The OC Register ran an article about the event on Saturday that includes an interview with Kevin: OC Register Article 10/17/09

The ENGLISH BEAT at Buddy Walk

Friday, October 16th, 2009

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The Buddy Walk has always been more than just a walk and this year it’s a concert too, with the announcement that the ENGLISH BEAT will be joining us to perform a musical set on Sunday, November 8th at Angel Stadium.  The band has agreed to take part in our biggest event of the year to help celebrate and demonstrate the value of our friends and family members with Down syndrome. 

You don’t want to miss this.  If you haven’t already done it – register today

Click:  Buddy Walk Registration Site