Press Releases 2001

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Her Majesty the Queen launches countrywide preparations for Down's Syndrome Awareness Week

  • Tuesday, 01 May 2001 00:00

The Queen (aka royal lookalike Jeanette Charles) is calling on her subjects to start making plans for Down's Syndrome Awareness Week (1-7 June). Down's Syndrome Awareness Week is an annual fundraising and awareness raising event that - this year - coincides with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

As preparations get underway, readers are urged to join with hundreds of other supporters across the country in raising funds and awareness to support people with Down's syndrome. Packs filled with easy and enjoyable fundraising ideas and materials, are available from Kelly Westlake at the Down's Syndrome Association Tel: 020 682 4001. This year for the first time lapel pins are also available for fundraisers to sell for a minimum donation of £1.

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Health service continues to fail parents of children who have Down's syndrome

  • Monday, 01 January 2001 00:00
Many parents of children who have Down's syndrome are being unsupported and misinformed by health professionals, according to a survey released today (22 May) by the Down's Syndrome Association (DSA).

The survey showed that:

• 37% of parents who find out at birth that their child has Down's syndrome were given no written information about the condition
• 40% were given no practical support e.g. the details of a local parent support group
• 22% of parents who decided to go ahead with the pregnancy despite knowing their baby had Down's syndrome felt that their decision had not been supported by health professionals
• Two thirds of parents were given their test results over the phone, many of them on their own and some when they were at work

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