Why Should You Join CHOP Buddy Walk®?
CHOP Buddy Walk® celebrates all individuals with Down syndrome (also known as trisomy 21)! At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), patients are cared for by our Trisomy 21 Program, an innovative, multidisciplinary program that began in 2002 to provide and coordinate care for children with this complex disorder. Our program is unique in that we care for patients with Down syndrome throughout their lives – not just during childhood. Our developmental pediatricians, therapists and researchers have made great strides expanding treatment and improving outcomes for these individuals. With the CHOP Buddy Walk® being the sole fundraiser for the Trisomy 21 Program, more funding is needed to continue our work.
Did you know?
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Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality in humans, affecting about 6,000 babies born each year in the United States and more than 350,000 individuals.
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CHOP’s Trisomy 21 Program provides ongoing care, education and services to more than 2,500 individuals with Down syndrome and their families each year. Our patients come from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds around the world.
Your support helped the Trisomy 21 Program make a huge impact.
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Provided comprehensive care and specialized care for 2,500+ individuals with Down syndrome annually from birth to adulthood – many of whom we have cared for more than 20 years!
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Supported care coordination with specialists at CHOP and with the community.
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Created a toolkit to ease the transition from pediatric to adult care for patients with Down syndrome.
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Developed a Parent Peer Program to support caregivers and siblings of individuals with Down syndrome.
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Standardized new growth charts for youth and adults with Down syndrome though the Down Syndrome Growing Up Study.
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Collaborated with NIH-funded researchers to identify the best learning and developmental interventions.
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Provided prenatal diagnosis and support to expectant parents to answer questions, provide information and resources to families.
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Offered a pool group to families, where physical and occupational therapists taught water safety and swim skills, as well as helped individuals improve development and respiration skills while having fun.
“Your support of the Trisomy 21 program helps us achieve our goal of promoting optimal health, growth and development so that individuals with Down syndrome can reach their potential and become valued members of their communities well into the future. Involving your family and friends in this endeavor through the CHOP Buddy Walk® spreads awareness that children and adults with Down syndrome have the capacity to contribute to their community if learning is supported and opportunities to do so are available.”— Mary Pipan, MD, Director of the Trisomy 21 Program
Meet Our Buddies
CHOP Buddy Walk® was formed to celebrate and support individuals with Down syndrome. Meet the kids that inspire our work!