About Dufferfest 

Dufferfest was conceived by Cholly Kenney and Mike Slachta.  Our goal is to provide you with an event that is sure to be a great time and support a good cause that is close to our hearts: Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).  All proceeds of Dufferfest will benefit The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Trisomy 21 Center.

This year 5,000 American babies will be born with Trisomy 21.  Thanks to the efforts of many people before us, all of these babies will have opportunities for success.  Children with Trisomy 21 attend mainstreamed classrooms, read with peers, develop friendships, and touch many lives.  Adults with Down syndrome can live full and productive lives, often marrying, living independently, and working.

But, there are challenges.  Health risks are primary.  A generation ago, the average life expectancy was 3 years. Today it is 55 years – but getting there can seem impossible when new parents are holding a sick baby.  The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Trisomy 21 Center will, over time, dramatically improve the lives of people with Down syndrome.

There are only a handful of centers across the nation dedicated to helping those with Trisomy 21, and the National Institutes of Health spend very little on clinical research of Down syndrome.  The Trisomy 21 Center's efforts originated in 2001 by two mothers, Grace Wadell and Lizanne Magarity Pando.  Their children, Georgie and Jenna, were both thriving thanks to the life-saving surgeries and outstanding care they both received at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  They knew that if the brilliant minds at Children's could focus on Trisomy 21, tremendous strides could be made.

Your attendance at Dufferfest will directly support this desperately needed center!  Please consider attending to help with this worthy cause!