The Global Down Syndrome Foundation held its 9th annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show (BBBY) and raised critical funding to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome while celebrating a milestone year for medical research and advocacy around this least-funded genetic condition.
An impressive roster of A-list celebs including Jamie Foxx, Eva Longoria, Marisa Tomei, Joe Manganiello, Denis O’Hare, John C. McGinley and Matt Dillon traveled to Denver in support of the fashion show, the single largest fundraiser for Down syndrome research in the country.
Highlights of the evening included the presentation of the 2017 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award to recipients Eva Longoria, presented by Quincy himself, and Madeline Stuart, presented by DeOndra Dixon. Eva Longoria’s tribute to her sister with special needs was sensational, and the grand finale where all the models hit the runway for a final procession to “We are the World” was fantastic.
Proceeds from the evening reached nearly $3.6 million, including a $1 million gift from The Salah Foundation, adding to the over $14 million already raised in the previous eight fashion shows held by Global Down Syndrome Foundation to fund critical research conducted by the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome on the Anschutz Medical Campus and Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Pictured:
DeOndra Dixon, Eva Longoria
Gertie Munholland, Jamie Foxx