To raise awareness and build support for families whose loved ones have Down syndrome and other genetic disorders, a Buddy Walk is intended as October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

The National Down Syndrome Society was the one that organised the first Buddy Walk in 1995. Across the country this year, more than 300 such walks are scheduled.

Raising more than $9.5 million for the society and local organizations like YES Kids, last year more than 250,000 people took part in Buddy Walks.

Christina Schye who was behind helping raise the YES Kids and Justin Schye are blessed with three kids and last year their son, Kellan, was born.

Until Kellan was born, his parents were unaware that he had Down syndrome. And suddenly many times over all the challenges of being a parent were magnified.

Christina Schye said, "It was overwhelming - not knowing where to go or who to get help from."

Realizing how tough it must be for parents to cope up with this situation, Schye, who is a registered nurse, did the needful.

She added, "I felt sorry for the people who didn't know what I knew, and I didn't know much."