NIH Dedicates $21 Million to Support Down Syndrome Research

by Pete Sessions on June 20, 2018 at 2:48 PM

I am the proud father of a Down Syndrome young man and a fierce advocate for the disability community. Throughout my tenure, I have worked tirelessly to ensure my son has the ability to achieve a bigger, brighter future. While the NIH and doctors have made remarkable advancements, there is so much that we still do not know. That is why it is critical that we contribute more resources so that we can make greater advances and better the lives of disabled individuals, their families, and caregivers.

Today, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for their tremendous support and their promise to dedicate $21 million dollars for the INCLUDE Project on Down Syndrome for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18). I am glad that I was able to help make this initiative possible and secure the necessary resources for the INCLUDE Project, and I am also proud to say that funding dedicated to the INCLUDE Project on Down Syndrome will not only help researchers conduct targeted high-risk, high-reward studies on Down Syndrome, but it will also help physicians and researchers develop a study to further understand the specific traits of Down Syndrome in conjunction with co-existing conditions and it will aid to establish clinical trial networks to develop therapies for co-occurring conditions."

“While research advances have helped people with Down syndrome live longer, healthier lives, the INCLUDE Project provides the needed resources and focus to address significant health challenges faced by individuals with Down syndrome and their families. I want to thank Congress for giving us the additional resources to launch INCLUDE, which has the potential to benefit millions of Americans.” said NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.

This is a wonderful initiative and I am excited to see where it goes. Thank you, again, to all the researchers, advocates, and families of individuals with Down Syndrome. This would not be possible without your continued support and advocacy.