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This story was corrected on Nov. 5, 2009. An explanation of the correction is at the bottom of the story.

For Brian Eiker, this year's Buddy Walk was bittersweet.

The eighth-annual walk was a fundraiser for FRIENDS of Frederick Maryland, which stands for Family Resource, Information & Education Network for Down Syndrome, a group that raises awareness of the needs of people with Down syndrome. One of the people the organization helped was Eiker's son, Andrew.

Andrew, 12, of Thurmont, died in June from medical complications. The Buddy Walk on Saturday was in his honor.

The Buddy Walks are held nationwide as part of the National Down Syndrome Society's efforts to raise money and awareness, and the Frederick walk is FRIENDS' big annual fundraiser, Brian Eiker said.

He said last year's fundraiser drew in more than $24,000, and Eiker said he hoped this year would draw in even more. A portion of the money raised goes back to the National Down Syndrome Society, and the rest of the money is used locally for educational and community events, Eiker said. In October, the group plans to hold an educational session at Tuscarora High School to help educators understand the issues surrounding Down syndrome.

FRIENDS also awarded three $1,000 scholarships to students studying a field that will benefit people with special needs. Future educational scholarships offered by the group will bear Andrew's name, Eiker said.

But aside from the good that the walks help the group accomplish, Eiker said they were an important social event for those local families touched by Down syndrome.

"It's a good chance for everybody to get out and get together and raise money for a good cause," Eiker said.

The walk also drew people from the community and surrounding states that have a stake in promoting awareness of Down syndrome.

Chloe's Cause, a nonprofit started by friends of the Coccia family of Frederick, was represented. Chloe Coccia, a 2-year-old Frederick resident, was diagnosed with Down syndrome and duodenal atresia, a double blockage of the intestines. She was born in March of 2007, and had successful surgery to remove the blockage, but nearly a year later she was diagnosed with an acute form of leukemia.

According to Tony Davenport, the president of the organization, children with Down syndrome are more likely to develop leukemia. However, they are also more likely to respond positively to chemotherapy.

To help the Coccia family pay for treatments, Chloe's Cause, a nonprofit fundraising foundation was established.

She is currently in remission, but the group still raises money and awareness for research into the link between childhood leukemia and Down syndrome.

"We feel like we do a really good job of getting the word out," Davenport said.

Kathy Tingler, a representative of The League for People with Disabilities was also on hand, to provide information on its services. The league has offered camps and activities for people with mental and physical disabilities since 1937 at Camp Greentop near Baltimore. Since 2003 the league has offered weekend respite activities in Thurmont.

Tingler said the league offered people with disabilities the chance to enjoy recreation and assisted travel,

There was also a table from Maryland's Special Olympics, which offers people with intellectual disabilities the chance to compete in athletic events. Ruth Vickers was on hand giving out information to anyone who was interested in participating in Special Olympics Events. Vickers said that on the day of the walk, there was a power lifting qualifier at Gold's Gym in Frederick, and other competitions are held year-round. "We are a non-stop organization," she said. "We are always on the go."

Eiker wrote Tuesday in an e-mail to The Gazette that the walk raised about $28,000, and 550 people participated.

The top fundraisers were Stephanie Ware of Frederick, who took first place and won a Nintendo Wii; Steve and Tracey Barnard of Ijamsville, who took second place and won an Apple iPhone; and Colleen Spigelmire of Baltimore, who took third place, winning two $100 gas cards.

This story originally said three $1,000 scholarships were for students with Down syndrome. The scholarships are actually awarded to students studying a field that will benefit people with special needs.

E-mail Christian Brown at chbrown@gazette.net.