If this isn't reason enough for more than 4,000 members of our Down syndrome community to gather once a year, there is one other major objective of our Buddy Walks that is equally important.... raising Public Awareness, whether about the longstanding issues in the Down syndrome or about new issues on the horizon. 

Thanks to them and to our national partner, and our Buddy Walk Task Force, we have been reaching more people than ever with the MDSC's message of empowerment and inclusion for people with Down syndrome. 

This year, we have been working with local and national celebrities to bring more recognition to the Down syndrome community. Stay tuned for an announcement of these "Buddy Walk Ambassadors" who will  be part of this effort.

Here's more on how we're reaching the public about the issues that matter to you and your loved ones... 

Last year, we were blown away by Heather Hegedus, the Fox25 news anchor who emceed our Buddy Walk & Family Festival for the first time and proved to be a consummate professional on stage throughout the day. 

But even more than that, she took time after the formal events ended at 4 p.m. to just hang out with our community. AND THEN, hours later, if you weren't too exhausted after a long day, you could have seen her on the FOX25 News at 10, airing a comprehensive, balanced piece that she had put together in the interim. Wow! 

This year, Heather and her team, including Director of Marketing and Community Affairs 

Maggie Hennessey-Nees, have already gotten started promoting the Buddy Walk. Look for this Public Service Announcement, which stars Heather alongside MDSC members Maya, Anna and Jordan Tabasky, on FOX25 up until the big day. 

We can't say enough about the Fox25's team's efforts to promote our mission to the masses. Last year's promo, featuring Glee's Lauren Potter, aired more than 80 times. For a behind the scenes look at the filming of this year's promo, see below. 

 

Our radio partners, Mix 104.1 and 103.3 AMP Radio (both owned by CBS Radio) have been integral to getting the word out about our Buddy Walk. Year after year, they have gone above and beyond to promote our largest fundraiser and gathering of the year.  

For the past several years, Mix on-air personalities have conducted long-form interviews in the lead-up to the Buddy Walk in October. These informative pieces are heard by thousands of listeners who may not otherwise hear anything all year about the issues in the Down syndrome community.   

Last year, on her mid-day show, former Buddy Walk emcee Erin O'Malley interviewed Buddy Walk Special Guest Lauren Potter, who covered everything from her public policy work (on President Obama's Commission on Disabilities) to her love of Boston (hear interview below). 

We are grateful to be able to get the word out through our major media partners in the region. But local media also plays a critical role. 

For example, our newspaper sponsor, Wicked Local Wakefield, builds support for our Buddy Walk in the community by running advertisements just before the event.   

And this year, WMWM 91.7 FM, Salem State Radio will keep our Public Service Announcement in regular rotation up until the walk. The PSA, which you can hear below, was created through our partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society and features Disney's Imagination Movers.