The community in El Paso came together to actively raise awareness for Down syndrome this past weekend. The 15th annual Buddy Walk, organized by the Down Syndrome Coalition for El Paso (DSCEP) and hosted in partnership with El Paso Community College (EPCC), drew around 700 participants to the EPCC Valle Verde Campus Americana Village. The one-mile fun walk aimed to gather support for individuals with Down syndrome and to highlight educational opportunities through fundraising efforts.
Families, friends, and supporters walked the campus grounds, while activities and entertainment punctuated the event. Food trucks and information tables provided sustenance and knowledge, respectively. The coalition also saw fit to honor each individual with Down syndrome and children present with a Buddy Walk medal, a symbol of recognition and inclusion. In a statement obtained by the DSCEP, Priscilla Estrello, president of the organization, noted that the event "not only supports educational opportunities but also shines a light on the wide range of programs, resources, and community partnerships available through our coalition," as per EPCC News.
According to EPCC News, the Buddy Walk is just one of the 250 such walks conducted nationwide. These walks are integral during October, which serves as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. They underscore the advocacy work done by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome.
