Governor’s Mansion Illuminated Blue Tonight in Honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Campaign

MONTGOMERY– First Lady Dianne Bentley will join 17 other First Ladies from across the nation to illuminate the Governor’s Mansion blue on Monday, March 21 in honor of Light the Way, a campaign to spread awareness of recent advances being made to empower individuals with Down syndrome. The initiative was created by New Jersey’s First Lady Mary Pat Christie.

 

“In honor of those who live daily with Down syndrome, the Governor and I gladly join the state of New Jersey to illuminate the mansion blue to bring awareness to this complicated disease,” said First Lady Dianne Bentley.

 

An estimated three million people worldwide have Down syndrome, including approximately 400,000 in the United States. Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has more than doubled in the past twenty-five years and now averages 55 to 60 years of age.

 

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal anomaly in humans, the result of having 47 chromosomes instead of 46.  The presence of extra genetic material is typically associated with delays in physical and intellectual development that usually range from mild to moderate in nature.

 

The Governor’s Mansion will be illuminated from dusk tonight until dawn in the morning.