Ten-year-old Maddison Davies, who has the genetic disorder, marched with her eight-member crew dubbed "Team MD" in her honor. They paraded in their MD costumes: yellow paper operating gowns, surgical masks, latex gloves and blue disposable booties.

Davies' teenage sister, Teran, bent to kiss her through their masks as they slogged through the rain.

"You're so cute, Maddie," Teran cooed.

The Davies family of Clearfield was among dozens of families participating in the Salt Lake-Tooele chapter of the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation's annual Buddy Walk at Riverfront Park.

Dismal weather kept their walk short - one lap around a sidewalk path that circles the park's west pavilion - but organizers hope the event's impact will reach further.

"It's a fundraiser, [but] it's also outreach to the community and advocacy for people with Down syndrome," said Kathie Peterson, the foundation's past president. "Friends and families can come and celebrate the lives of these kids."

The foundation marks its 30th anniversary this year. Run by volunteers, it serves as a support group for parents of kids with Down syndrome.

There are 1,250 members who have the genetic disorder, according to UDSF President Suzie Smith.

But she wants every family raising a child with Down syndrome to know there's help available.

The disorder occurs in one out of every 733 live births, according to the National Down Syndrome Society.

"That's why we do public awareness," she said. "We're full of resources."

Peterson launched the Salt Lake Valley group 20 years ago - it later merged with the state foundation - after giving birth to her sixth child, Danielle, who has Down syndrome.

"I felt really isolated because I didn't know any other parents who had kids with Down syndrome," Peterson said. Her pediatrician put her in touch with a family who did.

"It really helped," she said. Peterson, who became a counselor and advocate for other parents, still leans for advice on a neighbor with a daughter older than Danielle.

Danielle, now 21, attends Lone Peak High School in Highland. Able to stay in school until she's 22, Danielle has been homecoming royalty and an honorary cheerleader. She wants to be a hair stylist and has started to take some beauty school classes.

Kathie Peterson is glad her daughter has the opportunity to enter the work force or go to college, if she chooses.

"There's a lot more acceptance," than 21 years ago, Peterson said. "The attitudes have changed so much today."

Jim McIntosh, who attended the Buddy Walk with his wife, Kelly, and kids, Mia and Ellie, said his family didn't have a chance to feel alone when Mia was born three years ago with Down syndrome.

"The community actually reached out while Mia was still in the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit]" at LDS Hospital, he said. "We were just overwhelmed, [but] it was really good just to know that the community was there."

Saturday, Mia attended her third Buddy Walk. Her red locks poking out of her pink coat hood, she stuck close to her dad in the shelter of the park pavilion.

"We get to see other families," Jim McIntosh said, explaining why they come to the annual event. And "it's fun for the kids - when it's not 40 degrees out."

rwinters@sltrib.com

Learn more

For more information about the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation, call 877-499-UDSF, or visit www.udsf.org.