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PAGE 12, WH1TBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989 Imagine is a national campaign of The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy to increase 1 Canadians' awareness and contribution to ail charitable and volunteer organizations. We support their goals and are contributing space for the Imagine ads on this and other pages. To bring the campaign closer to home, the Whitby Free Press is running a series of profiles of the needs and activities of local organizations. Call us if your organization could use a boost. DURH4AM OWN SYNROME ASSOCXL4J0N Now a registered charity Picnic MORE THAN 80 people, including Teresa Calderone (left) and sister Catherine, attended the Down Syn- drome Association pienic at Harmony Valley Conserva- tion Area on June 11. Vince OhprecIo-Free Proe photo Lending support to parents of children born with Down Syn- drome is the Durham Down Syn- drome Association. The association was formed in 1982 by two families who decided there was a need in the region for a support group. In January, 1983, they held their first meeting, and the asso- ciation has never looked back. Returning for her second term as president is Judy Tataryn. "We advocate enrichment and a better life for people with Down Symdrome,»says Tataryn. She explains that Down Syn- drome is a condition caused when a child is born with an extra chromosone. This causes abnormalities, both mental and physical. "The sky is the limit to these kids. It's not that they are not capable of learning the same as you and me, it just takes them lon er," says Tataryn. Tere is no treatment for Down Syndrome. But Tataryn notes that with the advances made in medicine and surgery techniques, Down Syndrome chu - dren are living longer. "Life expectancy is not tyical but people with Down Syndrome are living longer and longer." Down Syndrome is not here- ditary but occurs right at the moment of conception. There are blood tests available during early preganc to deter- mine if a child has Down Syn- drome but the group does not advocate termination of a preg- nanc.y. Durham Down Syndrome Association Purpose: to provide support to families of Down Syndrome children; advocate for Down Syndrome children's rights and direct services to promote their full potential. Fundraising: recently incorporated as a registered charity, also has received donations from corporations and local service groups. Membership: 30 in Durham Contacts: Lorna Aberdein-427-6805; Judy O'Neil-579-0187 "That is a personal choice. We are there to support the new parents," she said. Approximately one in 700 chil- dren are born with Down Syn- drome although that figure fluc- tuates with the age of the mother. A woman aged 22 has a one in 1,000 chance while a woman approaching her 40s has a one in 4~0chance. When a family has a Down Syndrome baby, the association is usually informed by the health department or infant develop- ment, a group that deals with children that require special needs. Parents are given the oppor- tunity to phone the support group. In some instances, says Tataryn, the health department has asked the association to phone parents of a newly born Down Syndrome baby. "We can either get in contact personally or over the phone. We have a resource library with cur- rent material on Down Sym- drome," said Tataryn. «We don't intrude unless they choose," she added. With the exception of July and August, the association holds monthly meetings every second Tuesday at the/ Whitby Public Library, beginning at 7:30 p.m. This year however, they held their first dhristmas party, with a hall donated by the Shriners, and a family picne in June. Up untililast year the associa- tion relied on corporate dona- tions for events. But with their recent incorporation as a regis- tered charity, they can now start fundraising activities. Members, which number 35, are also available to speak to interested groups about Down Syndrome. Tataryn also said the associa- tion is working with the school boards to provide better services to Down Syndrome children. The giving begins with you. A FURLFERWORW SHOUiD ALL USE MORE OFN. GIVE. Support program for those with Turner Syndrome By Tamara K. Downes More than 120 people attended the Turner Syndrome Society's annual conference held recently in Toronto. T e conference is held partly to boost public awareness con- cerning the disease that strikes ne in exerv 2.500 girls, usually occurring from birth through to the late teens. Short stature, lack of sexual development, cubitus valgus (arms that turn out slightly at the elbow), webbing of t e neck, and low hairline in the back are usual signs of the disorder. Many doctors have observed that some girls only have one or two of the symptoms and rarely are they very obvious. Girls with Turner Syndrome can expect to lead normal, heal- th an productive lives. The Turner Syndrome Society was founded by Susan Charney, who had the disorder. Provided by the Society are support programs for fanlies. and friends, public awarenezs programs and information semi- nars during which the latest in treatments are discussed. Pro ams for the public began in July of 1981 when a location for the Society was provided by York University. Less than one year after open- ing, the Society was titled as a non-profit organization. The first public conference was held in 1982 with 55 people attending. Over the years, num- bers have increasedto more than 120 as awareness grew. With more than 500 member- ships, the Society has been able to open chapters in Ottawa, Lon- don and Halifax. Their aim now is to establish groups in Northern Ontario in- cluding Thunder Bay and àud- bury. "This has been a very success- ful fundraising yea >y says Sandi Hofbauer, executive director. Currently the Society is giving away special limited e dit ions prints of artist Susan Menzies' Spr ing Mist.' F r every $200 donation one receives a print, and for every $10 donation, a set of four heavy plastic patio glasses that show the work of Susan Menzies. The Society is looking to raise about $60,000 with the prints over the course of the next couple of vears. Already they bave raised $15,000. Te Society also hosts annual dinner aUd theatre evenings to raise money. As well as general donations, the Turner Syndrome Society receives funding from the Minis- tt of Health and Welfare and other organizations and founda- tions including the Trillium Foundation andAtkinson Foun- dation. One.of their many goals is to reach out to the public and pro- vide as much inf ormation about the disease. There is not yet a Turner Society chapter in Durham Region. Region residents now go to Toronto to attend meetings and seminars. In order to reach as many people as possible, the Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, shows a 10-minute video featur- ing victims and their families and has a publication entitled 'The X's and O's of Turner Sy- drome,'also available in French. The Society has several com- mittees and there are 13 people on the board. There is full-time staff person. For more information bauer at 736-5023. Rotary Club one paid call Hof- President's Night On Thursday, June 29, the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise will hold its annual President's Night to complete the 1988-89 year. The dinner meeting, starting at 6:30 p.., will be held at the Whitby Yacht Club. Ceremonies include acknowl- edgement and thanks to mem- bers of the executive who have served since the founding of the club in February, 1988, and a welcome of the incoming execu- tive. * f ~ ' -' ~ $ f t f * ~ * r- * - --