From Vietname
Mark and Katherine Damisch Duet – “Blowin’ in the Wind”
With a piano performance by Mark and an interview with Mark by Vũ Thái Dũng
Mark and Katherine Damisch Duet – “Blowin’ in the Wind”
From Vietname
Mark and Katherine Damisch Duet – “Blowin’ in the Wind”
With a piano performance by Mark and an interview with Mark by Vũ Thái Dũng
Good Day, Mr. Damisch. My name is Barbara Villalobos and for the past three years I have hosted my own charity concert, Jackapalooza, to benefit down syndrome cognition research. My son, Jack, was born with Down Syndrome and my, now 13-year-old son, plays piano so an idea was born to merge my interest in teaching public service to my children with my family’s constant efforts at helping Jack reach his greatest potential. When I learned about you, I knew I wanted to ask that you be the solo performer of the next “Jackapalooza.”
When my son was born 9 years ago, I cradled my newborn in my arms, loving him so much, but so deeply saddened by the loss of opportunities. Today, there is more hope than ever…
Cognition research on Down Syndrome has made great strides. Only 10 years ago, the biological mechanisms responsible f or cognitive impairment in Down Syndrome were not known. Today, there are three clinical trials underway, with a fourth being planned, with the potential to improve learning, memory, and speech in individuals with Down Syndrome, including a drug to halt the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Research shows that by age 40, almost all adults with Down Syndrome will develop the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, which is particularly disconcerting, when one thinks about all the energy and work it took for them to make the gains they did achieve.
The LuMind Foundation has served as a catalyst for funding cognition research. As a result, new researchers are entering the field and making exciting discoveries. The LuMind Foundation has generated more than $10 million to fund research but a great deal more is needed. The National Institutes of Health allocates only $60/person annually to Down Syndrome research, significantly less than for other conditions with smaller populations. This is for a community that surpasses 400,000 in the U.S. alone and 6 million worldwide. This is why private funding is so critical and why I have pursued my own means of raising money for this cause and am including you in my master plan.
Oh, by the way, we live in Glenview and Jack is very familiar with the farmers markets hosted at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church and the Wagner Farm across the way. I hope that we are able to arrange a date for you to perform to benefit the Research Down Syndrome LuMind Foundation. Thank you. —Barbara Villalobos, Jack’s Mom
So…..I’m doing a fundraiser at Sts. Peter and Paul on July 21st. Please come as my guest.
Did you want to talk further about 2016? Thanks
Were you still interested in having me do a fundraiser? I’m here until July 14th
before going on tour in South America, Central America and Canada. Thanks!
Mark