Jennifer Wilson and her son, JJ, led the team Planet JJ for Planet Fitness’ participation in the Step Up for Down Syndrome fundraising walk.

Planet Fitness^® clubs in the Kansas City-area, owned by PFKC, sponsored and participated in the 2015 Step Up for Down Syndrome fundraising walk, held Oct. 17, from 12 to 4 p.m.

The annual event benefits the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City (DSG), which serves over 1,200 families, partners with 22 hospitals and 45 school districts in Kansas and Missouri. These partnerships provide vitally needed programs and services that offer educational and social support to those affected by Down syndrome.

Over 10,000 attendees made it out to the Berkley Riverfront Park that Saturday in solidarity of the 400,000 individuals affected by Down syndrome across the United States. Jennifer Wilson, daughter of Greg Henson, co-owner of PF Kansas City, led a team of 20 individuals, alongside and in support of her son, JJ, who is also affected by this increasingly common disorder. Their team, titled “Planet JJ,” along with the event’s other participants, helped make history by being the first Down syndrome fundraising walk in the world to raise over $500,000!

“We are very excited to have contributed to the success of this event,” stated Greg Henson. “This is a cause that is close to our hearts, and we will be back next year!”