EVENT DETAILS
Discover the Difference a Little Fun Can Make!
Join us for our 25th annual CHOP Buddy Walk® & Family Fun Day as we celebrate all our amazing friends with Down syndrome! Like years past, this year’s event will be filled with walking, cheering and fun activities like moon bounces, carnival games, face painting, and so much more! Don’t miss your chance to be part of an event that truly makes a difference for individuals with Down syndrome and the people who love them.
When
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
9 a.m. – Registration opens
10 a.m.. – Top Team Ceremonial Walk begins
10:30 a.m. – Staggered Ceremonial Walk begins
11 a.m. – Stage Program
1 p.m. – Event concludes
Where
Lincoln Financial Field
1 Lincoln Financial Field Way
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Get directions
Why
100% of funds from the CHOP Buddy Walk® & Family Fun Day supports brighter futures for patients of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Trisomy 21 Program and helps improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.
Start a team
Invite family and friends
Raise funds together
Get started!
How it works
Step 1: Register!
Start your team or join a team by visiting the CHOP Buddy Walk® registration page.
Registration fee
The registration fee is $21 for teens and adults (age 13+), $10 for children aged 4-12 and free for those younger than 4. Pre-registration ends at noon on Friday, Oct 23, 2026.
NOTE: Event-day registration fees increase by $5 to $26 for adults and $15 for children aged 4-12.
If I had a team last year, do I have to start over again?
Yes. Captains should visit the CHOP Buddy Walk® registration page. You can use the same team’s name as last year and register for the event. If you don’t remember your registration information, please contact us at buddywalk@chop.edu.
Step 2: Recruit your community
Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to join you in celebrating individuals with Down syndrome and supporting the CHOP Trisomy 21 Program!
Step 3: Raise funds
There are so many ways you can raise money for individuals with Down syndrome and the CHOP Trisomy 21 Program through the CHOP Buddy Walk®. See our fundraising tips and social media resources and learn how to secure online and in-person donations on our ways to give page.
Step 4: Celebrate!
Join us on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, to celebrate you, your team and all individuals with Down syndrome!
What to expect
- Moon bounces, character appearances, face painting, music, food, beverages and more!
- A robust sweepstakes and silent auction!
- A short program including our fundraising reveal, top teams, sponsor recognition and Trisomy 21 Program updates! (The deadline to be recognized as a top fundraising team is Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.)
- Parking: Lincoln Financial Field is accessible by private vehicle and public transportation. Parking will be in Lot K (North Entrance). Directions to get to Lot K and exit Lot K.
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For a quick overview of CHOP Buddy Walk® & Family Fun Day, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
2026 CHOP Buddy Walk® Committee
Co-Chairs
Julie Gerhart-Rothholz & Mitchel Rothholz
Committee Members
Julia Agnew
Jim Coghlin
Kelly Coughlin
Jaqui DiDomenico
Erica DiVario
John Eskate
Caitlin Haas
Victoria Hable
Heather Healey
Shaunell Pebbles Jackson
Amanda Jacobs
Sarah Kbibech
Karen Keser
Anne Kuchera
Rosemary McKenna
Kristy Moffett
Manusree More
Alyssa Mumbauer
Jessica Nowlan
Alex Parmer
Ryan Parmer
Kelly Pasquerella
Janice Radway
Megan Sabat
Lisa Schultz McGann
Cynthia Scott
Jennifer Shea
Tereze Sinno
Melissa Stauffer
Kim Stranix
Dan Szostek
Vicki Szostek
Danielle Thompson
Karen Torres-Henderson
Kimberly Touch Rinaldi
Michelle Viall
Grace Waddell
Nicole Wells
Bernadette Wheeler
Questions?
Email BuddyWalk@chop.edu.
Meet Our Champions
Big smiles. Big inspiration. Meet the incredible patients who make the CHOP Buddy Walk® so meaningful and inspire every step we take.
