The Buddy Walk® was created by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Since 1995, the Buddy Walk® has become the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome in the United States. It is also the world’s most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community.
The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to more than 250 walks held worldwide this year. In 2014, nearly $13 million was raised nationwide by over 315,000 participants to benefit local programs and services, as well as the national advocacy initiatives of NDSS that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.
2021 marked the 21st anniversary of the Northeast Ohio Buddy Walk!