Buddy Walk held to raise funds for Down Syndrome

Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 | 8:44 a.m.

The Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada had its annual Buddy Walk from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday to raise money and awareness about the condition.

The Henderson Parks and Recreation Department hosted this year's Buddy Walk at the Discovery Park at 2011 Paseo Verde Drive.

The Buddy Walk is an advocacy walk that grew from 17 walks in 1995 to more than 214 -- at least one in each state -- in 2004.

More than 200,000 people participate nationally each year, from children and young adults and adults with Down syndrome to family, friends, elected officials and health care professionals, business leaders, corporate teams and other members of the community.

This year more than 250 walks are scheduled. The only Buddy Walk in Nevada was the one in Henderson.

The goal is to substantially increase the numbers of walkers each year, and thus raise more funds for Down Syndrome research, education and advocacy programs.

Last year more than $5 million was raised through walks nationwide.

The Las Vegas walk raised more than $30,000 last year with more than 400 participants.