Every year, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) holds the CHOP Buddy Walk to raise money for its Trisomy 21 Program, which provides treatment and specialized care for those with Down syndrome. In addition to raising funds for the program, CHOP seeks to raise awareness of Down syndrome by selecting several of its young patients to honor as Champions during the event. This year, 2-year-old Kennedy Kessler of Willow Street will be among 12 children who will be recognized at the Buddy Walk.

The 22nd annual Buddy Walk will be held on Sunday, Oct. 8, at Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the event kickoff at 10:30 a.m. A ceremonial lap around the field will take place at 11:30 a.m., and the Buddy Walk will also feature a variety of family-friendly activities such as face painting, a bounce house, carnival games and live entertainment. "It's a day to bring the families together and to celebrate our wonderful children," said Kennedy's mother, Jenna.

For each Champion, a team is created for friends, family members and colleagues as a way for members of the child's community to show their support. Kennedy's team is Kennedy's Kingdom, and her family has been raising money for the team online and in stores and doctor's offices across Lancaster County. The funds raised for each Champion's team directly benefit the Trisomy 21 Program and Down syndrome research.

Kennedy first visited CHOP's Trisomy 21 clinic when she was nine months old, after her pediatrician recommended it to her family. Since she was an infant, Kennedy has experienced health issues that require specialized care, including open-heart surgery when she was nine weeks old. Although Kennedy has received care from cardiologists and pediatricians, appointments at the Trisomy 21 clinic are tailored to suit the specific needs of those with Down syndrome. Kennedy visits the clinic once a year for a day of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The doctors evaluate Kennedy's progress as an individual, and they provide her family with useful information and exercises that can be completed at home.

"I could get emotional thinking about where her life started and where it is now," Jenna said. "We've been through a lot, and I don't know if we would have gotten through it without that support."

For more information, visit https://buddywalk.chop.edu.