Annual Columbia Buddy Walk Promotes Acceptance and Inclusion of People with Down Syndrome
Submitted by: Molly Ruggere on Aug 03, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Tagged with: BuddyWalk, Family Connection of South Carolina, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, National Down Syndrome Society
Source: Family Connection of South Carolina
Columbia, SC – Buddy Walk, the annual celebration of people with Down syndrome, will take place on Sunday, October 23 at Saluda Shoals Park. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the event will last until 5 p.m.
According to buddywalk.org, one in every 691 babies is born with Down syndrome making it the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. In the United States alone, there are more than 400,000 people with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society established the Buddy Walk to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. Family Connection will host Buddy Walks in Columbia, Spartanburg and Anderson.
Buddy Walk is a fundraiser for both Family Connection and the National Down Syndrome Society. Funds raised will help with research through the National Down Syndrome Society and will support programs for SC families with Down syndrome through Family Connection.
There is no charge to walk, but participants can register a team to accept donations. T-shirts will be available for purchase at the event, but to ensure a particular size, participants should pre-order by October 14. For team building and registration information, contact Vanessa Clark at (803) 252-0914 or visit www.firstgiving.com/fcsc/2011-buddy-walk-columbia .
In addition to walking for Down syndrome awareness, the event will include recognition for Columbia-area Special Buddies (individuals with Down syndrome), music, face-painting, a jump castle, train and pony rides, games and much more. Food and drinks will be available to all participants free of charge.
Family Connection of South Carolina is a statewide non-profit organization that links families of children with special healthcare needs or disabilities with helpful resources, support and education. They provide support to parents with a child with any special healthcare need, such as an upcoming surgery, developmental delays, premature birth, physical limitations, and all diagnoses including autism, asthma, ADHD, and cerebral palsy. Their support for families includes a vast family-to-family network, statewide offices and a host of programs that educate, inspire and empower families and their
children to live rich, fulfilling lives in spite of many challenges.
For more information about Family Connection, visit Family Connection of South Carolina .
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