From Case Western Reserve University Athletics
The Case Western Reserve University football team took some time off from its preseason schedule to participate in the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome Awareness at Progressive Field, supporting not only a great cause, but also a fellow Spartan.
The team marched as a part of 'Griffin's Gang,' named for Case Western Reserve Head Women's Basketball Coach Jennifer Reimer's three-year old son, who was born with Down Syndrome.
"I'm not sure I can put just how much it meant to us into words. It was awesome," said Reimer. "It was incredible to see our football squad supporting all those who benefit from The Buddy Walk and just another reminder of what makes our student-athletes at CWRU so special."
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 2013, more than $12.1 million was raised nationwide by over 305,000 participants to benefit local programs and services, as well as the national advocacy initiatives of NDSS that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.
2015 marked the 15th anniversary of the Northeast Ohio Buddy Walk.