Piano Performathon For The Trisomy 21 Program at CHOP

Music Performathon for the Trisomy 21 Program

April 27, 2025 & 

June 14-15, 2025

The CHOP Performathon is an annual student-organized fundraiser from the piano studios of Ingrid Clarfield, Todd Simmons, Jason Gallagher, Chiu-Ling Lin, Chang Liu, Rose McCathran, Esma Pasic-Filipovic, Donna Harrington, and Linda DePasquale.  These talented students will be performing at the Innovation Studio at the Kimmel Cultural Center in Philadelphia, PA on Sunday, April 27th, 2025.  On the weekend of June 14-15, 2025, seven more recitals will take place at the Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ. 

All money raised supports the Trisomy 21 Program at CHOP, providing care for children and adults with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). Thanks to the efforts of the Rinaldi family, all participating studio teachers and students, this annual Performathon has raised nearly $85,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia since 2014.  

Thank you for your tax-deductible donation which helps CHOP provide support for children living with Trisomy 21 in this life-changing program!

Giulianna Rinaldi and The Trisomy 21 Program

With her kind and loving spirit, Giulianna wants to change the world.  The Trisomy 21 Program at CHOP is a program that holds a special place for the Rinaldi family.  Thanks to Dr. Mary Pipan and the team at The Trisomy 21 Program, Giulianna Rinaldi and her family have had support every step of the way in her journey to living a healthy and thriving life.  In 2017, Giulianna was a Champion for the Trisomy 21 Program’s annual Buddy Walk, supporting her peers as the wider community celebrated all individuals with Down syndrome.

In October 2025, the Rinaldi family and their friends will walk with Team Giulianna’s Heart of Hope in celebration, honor and respect for the amazing Giulianna Rose Rinaldi.  Giulianna , who is 16 years old and a Freshman in High School, made Honor Roll this year, is a member of the Spanish Club, is active with Marlton Sports Unity Program (soccer, volleyball, basketball, etc.), attends ZZ Dance and is on the Women’s High School Track Team, Throwing,  where she beat her personal record three times already. Giulianna’s strength,  courage, determination and strong will have inspired her family and friends since she was born with that extra chromosome on June 19th, 2008.  The Rinaldi’s couldn’t be prouder of the amazing strong young woman she is.

The Rinaldi’s also walk to support our our friends and families in our Down Syndrome Community,  most especially, our families who created and walked in the 1st CHOP Buddy Walk, for their inspiration, drive and dedication to this wonderful program.

Most importantly, the Rinaldi’s walk to fundraise for the CHOP Trisomy 21 Program.  The Buddy Walk is the sole fundraiser for the Triaomy 21 Program, which cares for more than 1,200 children and 300 adults annually.  The CHOP Trisomy 21 Program would not exist as it does today without the tremendous support of the CHOP Buddy Walk & Family Fun Day.  The Rinaldi’s fundraising helps to support the  Exceptional Health Care Giulianna receives from the Amazing Professionals at the CHOP Trisomy 21 Clinic.  

This October 2025  marks the "24th” Anniversary of CHOP Buddy Walk & Family Fun Day.  This year, this glorious event will return in person and also will be available virtually.  For the "24th” CHOP Buddy Walk & Family Fun Day, this glorious event will be held at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles!  This year, we hope to raise the bar and surpass our fundraising goals to make this the highest fundraising year in the history of CHOP Buddy Walk & Family Fun Day for the Trisomy 21 Program.   

Last year, The Rinaldi Family and Team Giulianna’s Heart of Hope raised over $40,000 for the Trisomy 21 Program at CHOP.  This was the most amount of money ever raised in the history of Buddy Walk and was made possibly by the generosity of the donors and supporters of the Performathon ($23,844 raised 2025) and Team Giulianna’s Heart of Hope.

The CHOP Buddy Walk® provides hope for tomorrow for children with trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, the most frequently occurring genetic syndrome in the United States. One in every 800 children are born with Down syndrome, and they often face an uncertain future. These children are at greater risk of developing chronic and life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, bone deformities, neurological, gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders, as well as feeding and developmental disabilities.

How Can You Help?

By donating and helping me support:

• Ongoing clinical care and coordination for children and adults with Down syndrome and their families
• New assessment tools to identify potential issues and intervene early
• Continuing education for families, medical providers and community members
• Transformational research to improve the quality — and quantity — of life for individuals with Down syndrome

With your support, babies born with Down syndrome can experience the many joys of childhood — and flourish in adulthood.

Thank you!