FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State football team will wear a diamond sticker on the back of their helmets on Saturday night, in partnership with Jami Hamel DeLaCerda and the Diamond Learning Center.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and the Bulldogs will wear the stickers to represent the Diamond Learning Center while embracing amazing people who have Down Syndrome. It is the most common chromosomal condition, occurring in about 1 in every 700 babies in the U.S. each year.
"We believe so much in creating partnerships with our community; in turn we all benefit," Hamel DeLaCerda said. "The Diamond Learning Center is a lifelong learning environment where we embrace who you are, where you are. The goal is a productive and safe adult life."
Hamel DeLaCerda is the proud mother of three sons — Isiah, Samuel, and his twin Elijah, who has Down Syndrome.
The DLC believes inclusion begins at home, and that every child is born to shine.
"With Fresno State football, I see that as its own community," Hamel DeLaCerda said. "We are creating young men who are seeing their future past football. Not everyone will make it into the NFL, but every one of them will be a father, a husband, a friend. We're proud to help shape that journey."
Earlier this summer, Hamel DeLaCerda made a groundbreaking one-million-dollar gift to Fresno State Athletics — the largest single donation by a woman in Fresno State Athletics history. For more information on the gift, visit here.