Founder of GiGi's Playhouse Named CNN Hero

FOX POINT - The founder of GiGi's Playhouse, a national Down syndrome awareness organization based in Hoffman Estates, has been named a CNN Hero for this week.

Nancy Gianni started the first GiGi's Playhouse—named after her daughter who was diagnosed with Down syndrome—in 2003 in Hoffman Estates as a center for children, adults and families to learn about the genetic disorder.

Since then, 31 more Playhouses have opened in the United States and Mexico—including centers in Chicago, and the one in Milwaukee located in Fox Point—offering free therapeutic, educational and career training programs.

"This is not about me or GiGi. It is about all of us stepping up to make this world a better place," Gianni said in a statement. "The real Heroes of GiGi's Playhouse include the participants themselves, (they inspire me every day!), the volunteers who run 97% of all programming, the courageous families who embrace the journey of opening a Playhouse in their own community, and the believers who make this all possible."

Video segments featuring Gianni can be seen on the cable news channel's website, and they will be aired on CNN and sister network HLN at various times beginning Friday and running through Monday.

In its 10th year, CNN Heroes "honors everyday people for their selfless, creative efforts to help others," according to the cable network. Heroes are selected from nominations submitted on CNN's website.

PHOTO: Nancy Gianni (right) and her daughter, GiGi. (GiGi's Playhouse)