Down syndrome actor David Desanctis pays it forward with random acts of kindness for World Down Syndrome Day on Mar. 21. The 'Where Hope Grows' actor encourages kind acts to be shared via social media this week.

WHAT: World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. Each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder. In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, WHERE HOPE GROWS' actor David DeSanctis, who has Down syndrome, will pay it forward with random acts of kindness now through Mar. 21.

This week, David helped usher in a charity film screening of WHERE HOPE GROWS for Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols Family Foundation in Phoenix; and hosted a BE KIND school assembly in collaboration with The Be Kind People Project ^TMwith more than 500 students pledging compassion and goodwill toward one another.             

WHO:Roadside Attractions' WHERE HOPE GROWS has broken new ground by casting David in a lead role.  He lights up the room with his charismatic, funny and smart personality. At 22 years-old, he is a Louisville native who has a passion for motivating others and prides himself on his abilities rather than his disabilities. When cast in the film's starring role, the director (Chris Dowling) asked David if he could read; David licked his finger to turn the first page of the script and speedily memorized 130 lines. An ardent music lover, David used his own self-curated music playlists to help memorize scenes and for dance breaks. He can also cite thousands of song titles, lyrics and artists off the top of his head.

WHEN:NOW

David will be supporting this initiative all week in-person and via social media (Facebook, Instagram #WHEREHOPEGROWS). We encourage you to book an interview with David as I know your audience will find David's enthusiasm contagious, his story moving and his charm undeniable.

(Photo : Gene Lower)
Chris Dowling, Albert Pujols, Kristoffer Polaja and David DeSanctis

(Photo : Gene Lower)

About WHERE HOPE GROWS

Winner of the 2014 Heartland Film Festival Audience Choice Award, WHERE HOPE GROWS is the moving story about former professional baseball player Calvin Campbell (Kristoffer Polaha) who was sent to an early retirement due panic attacks at the plate. Even though he had all the talent for the big leagues, he struggles with the curveballs life has thrown him. Today he mindlessly sleepwalks through his days as copes with the challenges of raising his teenage daughter (McKaley Miller). As he continues in a slow, downward spiral, a chance meeting with the most unlikely person - Produce, a young-man with Down syndrome who works at the local grocery store - invigorates and awakens his life. Directed by Chris Dowling ("The Remaining"), WHERE HOPE GROWS is a film about finding redemption through faith, hope and love. WHERE HOPE GROWS opens nationwide on May 15 The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 98 minutes.