1. Marshfield and Scituate
Media Contact: Josh Komyerov, jkomyerov@mdsc.org
781-221-0024 ext. 204
For Immediate Release
Marshfield State Representative James Cantwell To Be Honored at
State House
Marshfield/Scituate - [May 11 2016] On Wednesday, May 18,
2016, Cantwell will join the Massachusetts Down Syndrome
Congress (MDSC) at the organization’s 3rd annual Down
Syndrome Advocacy Day at the State House. Rep. Cantwell’s
support for funding and policies that benefit people with intellectual
disabilities and their families has helped ensure that all people with
Down syndrome have opportunities to lead meaningful, fulfilling
lives in the community.
At the MDSC’s Advocacy Day, Rep. Cantwell will receive the MDSC’s “2016
House of Representatives Champion” Award.
Rep. Cantwell has supported the MDSC community in numerous ways, including
as lead sponsor for one of the MDSC’s priority bills on our 2016 platform. The
Organ Transplant Non-Discrimination Bill (H. 3271) would prohibit disability-
based discrimination by doctors, hospitals and medical organizations when
determining what patient is eligible to receive an organ transplant. The most
common reason for deciding against an organ transplant for a person with a
disability is the misconception that people with intellectual, developmental, or
psychiatric disabilities would be unable to manage complicated postoperative
treatment plans or would have a lower quality of life and therefore be less likely
to benefit from the transplant. Under this legislation, denying transplantation on
the basis of a person’s supposed lower quality of life or inability to consent would
amount to illegal or unjustified discrimination.
State Representative Tom Sannicandro and Senate President Stanley C.
Rosenberg will also be honored for their leadership in the realm of disability
policy and funding. Scores of advocates will convene at Grand Staircase of the
State House May 18 to advocate for MDSC priority bills, as well as full funding in
the state budget for the MDSC Line Item, Department of Developmental Services
(DDS) Line Items., funding for ICE programs in higher education, and the UMass

2. Down Syndrome Clinic. FOX25 weekend news anchor Gene Lavanchy, whose
teenage nephew has Down Syndrome, will emcee.
The public is invited to attend:
● Luncheon reception (11am – 12:30pm)
● Individual meetings with legislators (12:30pm – 1:30pm)
Registration is free at www.mdsc.kintera.org/advocacyday2016
Statewide and nationally, the MDSC is leading the charge for important policies
and systemic changes that provide critical support for people with Down
syndrome and their families. In 2012, the MDSC pushed through a Prenatal
Testing Bill that requires doctors who give a Down syndrome diagnosis to
provide the latest, accurate information about Down syndrome to their patients.
On the national level, the MDSC has been a leader in our advocacy of the
Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. In May 2014, the MDSC filled the
Grand Staircase at the State House advocating for an amendment to the
National Background Check Bill, which became Massachusetts law on August 5,
2014.
About the MDSC
As we have over the past nearly three decades,the MDSC continues to ensure that all individuals in
Massachusetts with Down syndrome are valued,included,and given every opportunity to pursue fulfilling
lives. The MDSC offers a broad array of programs to serve people with Down syndrome and their fam ilies
throughoutthe state, including:our signature Parent’s First Call Program,a volunteer,state-wide group of
trained parentmentors available 24/7 thatis a national model; two major annual conferences thatdraw
national and international experts in their fields;a Buddy Walk® Program thatincludes 3 Buddy Walks
throughoutthe state; Self-Advocate Programs like Advocates in Motion and our Self-Advocate Advisory
Council,which provide opportunities for teens and adults with Down syndrome while making empowerment
a central component.