Tulare County proclaims March 2025 Trisomy Awareness Month, March 18 Trisomy 18 Awareness Day

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as Trisomy Awareness Month and March 18, 2025 as Trisomy 18 Awareness Day.

The proclamation and remarks were prompted by Denise (last name not provided), who identified herself as the maternal grandmother of Kelsey and described the child’s diagnosis and access to services. “Kelsey said, ‘I don’t think so,’” Denise told the board, describing her granddaughter’s survival and progress after a diagnosis of full trisomy 18. She thanked county staff at Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) for enrollment help, saying staff aided the family in getting Medi-Cal and early intervention services.

The board read the proclamation, which notes that trisomies are genetic conditions including Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), and states that people with trisomy deserve access to quality health care and intervention services. The proclamation was signed by the five supervisors on the dais: Larry McCarrie, Pete Vanderpool, Amy Shockley, Eddie Valero and Dennis Townsend.

Board members thanked Denise and the family for raising awareness. Supervisor Dennis Townsend said he appreciated the personal perspective and added that the recognition could provide “hope” for other families. Supervisor Amy Shockley and others echoed thanks for the family’s resilience and for staff who helped obtain services.

The board encouraged residents to observe Trisomy Awareness Month and recognized HHSA staff named by Denise for assistance getting benefits and services for the child. No formal policy changes or funding commitments were made at the meeting.