JOE MANGANIELLO, MARISA TOMEI, JOHN C. MCGINLEY, D

Denver, CO., Oct. 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today the Global Down Syndrome Foundation announced its initial celebrity lineup for this year’s 9 ^th annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion S how , the single largest fundraiser for Down syndrome research in the country, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, 1550 Court Place in Denver.

Models with Down syndrome, such as 2017 Global Down Syndrome Foundation Ambassador Marcus Sikora, will be joined on the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show runway by celebrities including: Joe Manganiello, Star of True Blood and Magic Mike, Marisa Tomei, Oscar Winning Actress, John C. McGinley, Actor, Author, Comedian and Global Board Member, and Denis O’Hare , Tony Award-winning Actor and Star of True Blood. Additional special guests will be announced in the coming weeks.

“This is a special year for Global as we have had two major scientific breakthroughs that are a direct result of the donations we have raised at our fashion show in past years,” said Global Down Syndrome Foundation President, CEO and Co-Founder, Michelle Sie Whitten. “We are thrilled to celebrate how far we have come and inspired to look towards the future in gathering additional awareness and support for a significantly better future for children and adults with Down syndrome.”

Over the past 8 years, the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show has raised more than $14 million for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation to support life-changing and life-saving research, medical care, education and advocacy. Specifically, the foundation has supported world-class multi-disciplinary medical care to more than 1,300 children with Down syndrome from 28 states and seven countries. The funding has also helped to establish the first academic home for revolutionary Down syndrome research, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Various levels of tickets, table sponsorships, and model sponsorships  are available, including VIP levels at www.bebeautifulbeyourself.org .

For more information on the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, please visit www.globaldownsyndrome.org . For celebrity interviews, to cover the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show or to receive additional information and imagery, please contact trisha@ballantinespr.com .

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About the Global Down Syndrome Foundation

The  Global Down Syndrome Foundation is at the forefront of research, medical care, education and advocacy dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome. Supporting the research of hundreds of scientists around the world, and through our advocates, partners and affiliates including the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome, Global is making an impact on the lives of people with Down syndrome today, and remain focused on finding solutions tomorrow. We are committed to helping people with Down syndrome realize their fullest potential and lead healthy and productive lives. To learn more, visit www.globaldownsyndrome.org/ .

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...17d80127eb

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...bee9fde88b

Kathy Green Global Down Syndrome Foundation (720) 280-9725 kgreen@globaldownsyndrome.org Trisha Davis (310) 454-3080 trisha@ballantinespr.com