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- Health
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- AwarenessChildrenEducational
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- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every March
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Trisomy Awareness Month takes place throughout March, shining a light on genetic conditions characterized by an extra chromosome. This month is dedicated to increasing understanding, promoting acceptance, and supporting individuals and families impacted by trisomy. Learn more about the various forms of trisomy, participate in awareness campaigns, and advocate for inclusive communities.
Want to sponsor Trisomy Awareness Month? Learn how
History of Trisomy Awareness Month
March is chosen as the Trisomy Awareness Month in the U.S. because it is the third month of the year, which correlates to the three copies of chromosomes that characterize the disorder. There are many organizations in the U.S. that take the lead in spreading awareness about different kinds of trisomy. SOFT, or Support Organization for Trisomy, is a leading advocate and awareness creator for specific kinds of trisomy like 18 and 13. They hold annual trisomy conferences for parents and families with affected children. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (N.I.C.H.D.) is the federal government agency that also joins in to spread awareness of trisomy this month. It has a dedicated center to research intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The objective behind observing such a month is not only to raise awareness about the condition among the public, but also to recognize and celebrate the lives of those children living with trisomy, their parents, and caregivers. Some forms of trisomy such as 18 and 13 can greatly affect the lifespan of a newborn, and their chances of surviving beyond the first year are low. Trisomy Awareness Month is also a great time for fundraising and networking activities that can further the state of research, treatment, and care for children with trisomy. It is also a time to raise awareness about the existence of preventive or diagnostic tools for aspiring parents to get a better sense of the risks associated with their pregnancy.
Trisomy Awareness Month timeline
Dr. Down is the first physician to describe Down syndrome in terms of its characteristics.
Children with down syndrome have a life expectancy of only 12 years.
The rising field of cytogenetic helps to genetically describe Down, Klinefelter, and Turner syndromes.
SOFT, a non-profit dedicated to Trisomy 18 and 13, is founded.
Trisomy Awareness Month FAQs
When is Trisomy Awareness Month?
In 2027, Trisomy Awareness Month will be observed from Monday, March 1, through Wednesday, March 31. This annual observance is crucial for advocacy and education.
How common are trisomy conditions?
Globally, trisomy conditions represent a significant portion of genetic disorders. While Trisomy 21 is the most frequently occurring live-born trisomy, Trisomy 16 is considered the most common trisomy overall during pregnancy, though it often results in miscarriage.
What are the main types of trisomy?
Beyond the common types, trisomy can occur with any chromosome, though many are incompatible with life. Trisomy of sex chromosomes, such as XXY (Klinefelter syndrome) or XXX (Triple X syndrome), also exists and presents with different sets of challenges and characteristics.
Is Trisomy Awareness Month recognized internationally?
Many countries and international organizations participate in activities throughout March to support individuals with trisomy and their families. The emphasis is often on collaborative efforts to improve research, healthcare, and social inclusion across borders.
How To Observe Trisomy Awareness Month
Share a resource
There are resources for caregivers looking after children with trisomy on the sites of organizations such as SOFT and N.I.C.H.D. For instance, SOFT has resources for physiotherapy, trust-building, managing specific environmental conditions such as light, and internal side effects such as epilepsy. If you know a caregiver for a child diagnosed with trisomy, you can share some useful resources with them, even if they may have come across it already.
Volunteer your time
Another way to help out is to find a local charity that supports the cause, and ask them if you can volunteer your skills in any way. This could include managing their digital and social media presence, taking care of administration, or even working with families, if you are equipped for it.
Raise funds
If you have a great network of individuals and organizations looking to pitch in for charitable causes, you should consider using your skills to raise funds for organizations working with trisomy. This can include research organizations, or even families looking for some support in treatment or care.
5 Fascinating Facts About Trisomy
Down syndrome was considered a race
Dr. John Langdon Down described people with Down syndrome as ‘Mongoloids’ who shared racial features with Mongolians.
Trisomy sometimes gets better with age
Although the infant mortality of Trisomy 18 and 13 is very high, there is a 60% chance of the child living beyond five years of age if they survive the critical first year.
Trisomy can be partial
Full trisomy occurs only when the entire chromosome has been copied. If only a part has been copied, it is partial trisomy.
Trisomy 16 fetuses usually miscarry
Even though it’s the most common trisomy among pregnant women, they frequently cause miscarriages.
Autosomal trisomy is worse
Autosomal trisomy refers to copies of non-sex chromosomes, which lead to more severe complications.
Why Trisomy Awareness Month is Important
It helps us understand trisomy
Many of us may have heard of Down syndrome or other birth disorders, but we may not know that there is a common link between many such disorders based on an extra chromosome. We may not even understand all the types and risks that each involves. This month therefore truly raises our awareness of this family of disorders.
It’s a chance to reach out to caregivers
Whether we know someone caring for a child with trisomy, or we decide to volunteer, this is a chance for us to understand the perspective of parents having to deal with the imminent death of their children. This is an especially trying situation to be in, and parents find different ways to cope with it and do their best for their children.
It’s a reminder of human strength and frailty
Whether we identify as a person with a disability or not, it takes great strength of spirit to deal with this challenging condition. At the same time, it is a reminder that many accidents of birth are out of our control, and that our human existence is precarious.
