Panhandle Down Syndrome Guild expects 1,000 people for walk




Amarillo Globe-News


The Panhandle Down Syndrome Guild is expecting 1,000 people from the Tri-State area Oct. 1 at its annual Buddy Walk® at Sam Houston Park, 4101 Line Ave., up from more than 500 at last year's walk.

An advocacy walk and party, the event celebrates the lives of people with Down syndrome and raises money for education, research and various outreach programs.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

The Buddy Walk will also include food, games, prizes, face painting, a petting zoo and a rock-climbing wall.

The Panhandle Down Syndrome Guild was founded in 2002 to promote a greater understanding of the medical and developmental aspect of Down syndrome.

It works to increase public awareness about the syndrome, to assist families in addressing the needs of children born with the genetic condition and to help those people affected with Down syndrome achieve their full potential in community life.

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs about once in every 800 live births, about 350,000 people in the United States. The syndrome makes simple everyday activities and skills much more difficult to learn for those afflicted.

For information, call 654-5790 or 468-9088.