AMERKS CELEBRATING WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE ROCHESTER
Friday’s game against Syracuse presented by UR Medicine | Wilmot Cancer Institute
Mar 16, 2026The Rochester Americans are celebrating World Down Syndrome Day presented by UR Medicine | Wilmot Cancer Institute supporting GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester on Friday, March 20 when they host the Syracuse Crunch at The Blue Cross Arena.
The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive pom poms courtesy of UR Medicine | Wilmot Cancer Institute.
Recognized globally each year on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day has been officially observed since 2012 with an emphasis on raising awareness for the Down syndrome community and fostering a better understanding for those living with it. The date being the 21st day of the third month was chosen to represent the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
Since 2017, GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester has been offering free, direct educational, therapeutic, and career-building programs to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. The positive and uplifting environment of GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester will empower those individuals with Down syndrome and their families to reach their highest potential.
“We are incredibly grateful to partner with the Amerks again for World Down Syndrome Day, presented by UR Medicine | Wilmot Cancer Institute, to celebrate inclusion, kindness, and the limitless potential of individuals with Down syndrome,” said Kristin Housel, Director of Playhouse Operations and Speech-Language Development at GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester. “We’re excited to welcome Amerks players and their families back to the Playhouse in the days leading up to the game and proud to work together to raise awareness and build a more accepting community for all.”
For the second straight year, both organizations will participate in a series of events in the days leading up to the game, including Amerks players and their significant others preparing dinner at GiGi’s Playhouse (372 N. Goodman St. in downtown Rochester), challenging kids and their families in a spirited game of broom ball, and skating at Tim Hortons Ice Plex (2700 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Road).
Tickets for the World Down Syndrome Day game are available for just $18 and can be purchased at www.amerks.com/gigisplayhouse. A portion of each ticket purchased through the online offer will be donated back to Gigi’s Playhouse of Rochester.
Season Ticket Memberships for the 2026-27 season, which start as low as $22 per game, are on sale now and come with several Members-only perks and benefits. Full and Half Season Membership options are also available. For more information on Amerks Season Tickets or to sign up today, call 585-454-5335 or visit www.amerks.com/memberships.
About UR Medicine | Wilmot Cancer Institute
UR Medicine's Wilmot Cancer Institute provides world-class cancer care and conducts groundbreaking research with a goal to prevent and conquer cancer through innovation in science, patient care, education, and community outreach. It has a long history of research breakthroughs, including pivotal contributions to the pioneering HPV cancer vaccines – the only vaccines that prevent cancer. Wilmot serves approximately 3 million people in a 27-county region in western and central New York. It features an 87-bed flagship cancer center, 13 outpatient locations, and one of the state’s largest blood and marrow transplant programs. Based in Rochester, N.Y., Wilmot is part of the University of Rochester Medical Center.
About GiGi's Playhouse Rochester
GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester is a non-profit organization that serves people with Down syndrome from prenatal diagnosis to adulthood focusing on achievement, belief and confidence. Open since April 2017, it is part of GiGi's Playhouse network of 61 Down Syndrome Achievement Centers and growing across the U.S. and Mexico — the only network of its kind that provides free, life-changing therapeutic, educational and career training programs for 30,000+ individuals of all ages. Through free programs and the Generation G Campaign for global acceptance, GiGi’s helps maximize opportunities for daily achievement and lasting acceptance. The program helps advance a vital social impact goal by showing the world what individuals with Down syndrome are capable of achieving as students, co-workers, volunteers, friends, and valued members of their communities. For more information about free programs, volunteerism, impact partnerships, events, and the many ways to support GiGi's Playhouse Rochester families visit: gigisplayhouse.org/rochester.