Trisomy
Trek 2026

Every dollar raised through the Trisomy Trek goes directly to SOFT — the Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13, and Related Disorders. Your fundraising supports:

New and expectant parent resources — including diagnosis-specific parent books in English and Spanish, and quarterly virtual support meetings for families at the moment of diagnosis.

The annual SOFT Conference — the largest gathering of Trisomy families in the world, bringing together families, siblings, and medical professionals for education, peer support, and community. Financial assistance is available to help families attend who otherwise could not.

The Talking Trisomy podcast — long-form interviews with clinicians and advocates providing accurate, compassionate information to families and medical professionals nationwide.

Family support programs — including bereavement support, multilingual educational materials, and ongoing community connection for families across the full journey from diagnosis onward.

SOFT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Anyone can participate in the Trisomy Trek. Full stop. You do not need to have a child with Trisomy. You do not need to be a SOFT member. You do not need any connection to Trisomy at all to join, walk, and fundraise.

Maybe you are a sibling who grew up alongside a brother or sister with Trisomy and you want to rally your friends around something meaningful. Maybe you are a grandparent, a neighbor, a coworker, or a friend of a family who has been touched by Trisomy. Maybe you just heard about SOFT and want to help. You are welcome here.

For SOFT families specifically — this walk is for every stage of the journey. Whether your child is living, whether you lost your child, whether you received a prenatal diagnosis, or whether you are still in the middle of it all — there is a place for you on July 15. Walk in honor of your child, in memory of your child, or simply in celebration of a community that shows up for each other.

Set up a team, invite everyone you know, and walk wherever you are. The more the merrier.

No — participation in the Trisomy Trek is completely optional for conference attendees. If you are coming to Loveland for the SOFT Annual Conference you are welcome to join the walk and set up a fundraising team, but there is no requirement to do so. That said, we would love to have you walk with us! And remember — you do not have to be at the conference to participate either. Virtual walkers from anywhere in the world are just as much a part of the Trek as those walking in Colorado.

Absolutely. Virtual participants are a full part of the Trisomy Trek. You set up your fundraising page on GiveButter, walk in your own neighborhood or backyard on July 15, and then join us live via Zoom as we gather in Loveland. You will see the walk, hear from families, and share the celebration in real time. Virtual teams are 100% eligible for all prizes including the Grand Prize of 4 SOFT Conference registrations.

Once you register your fundraising page, we will email you the Zoom link before the event. On July 15, walk whenever you like in your area, then hop on Zoom to join the closing celebration live from Colorado. You will be able to see and hear the event, celebrate with other families, and share your screen or camera if you want to show where you walked. It is a real shared moment, not just a recording.

Not at all — costumes are completely optional and just for fun. This year's theme is Superheroes and we encourage families to get creative if they want to. Dress as your favorite superhero, match your whole team in the same costume, make custom t-shirts, or just show up ready to walk. There is no pressure and no judging — just a chance to add some extra fun and get some great photos along the way.

There is no required minimum. Every dollar raised helps SOFT support families at diagnosis, fund the conference, and keep resources free. We encourage setting a personal goal of $250 or $500 to motivate your network, but you are welcome regardless of how much you raise. The most important thing is that you show up, walk, and share your family's story.

Click the green "Create My Team Page" button on this page. GiveButter will first ask you to create a free account — name, email, phone, and password, plus an optional profile photo. Once that is done, you land on a screen with two tabs: Create a team or Join a team. Choose Create, upload your team photo (square image, shown on your page), enter your team name, set a goal, write your story, and hit "Join this fundraiser." Your page is live and you get a personal link to share. Total time: about 5 minutes.

Yes, virtual teams compete for the same prizes as in-person teams. Prizes are awarded based on total funds raised by your team by the end of July 15. The top fundraising team wins the Grand Prize of 4 SOFT Conference passes (a $660 value). 2nd place receives a SOFT prize pack worth $150 and 3rd place receives a SOFT prize pack worth $75. Beyond the top 3, there are fun random bonus prizes for additional top finishers too. All prizes are generously provided by the Sogge family in memory of Dane. The leaderboard is visible on the GiveButter campaign page so you can track your standing in real time.

The in-person Trisomy Trek takes place in Loveland, Colorado on July 15 as part of the SOFT 40th Annual Conference week. Families gather for the walk, share stories, honor their children, and celebrate community. You will need a conference registration to participate in the full conference events, but stay tuned for specific Trek day details. If you are already registered for the conference, the Trek is included in your week.

Yes. Your fundraising page works exactly the same whether you walk in Colorado or walk in your hometown. Donors visit your personal GiveButter link, read your story, and donate directly to your team. All donations are processed securely and roll up to the main SOFT campaign. You can share your link via text, email, Facebook, Instagram, or anywhere else you reach people.

Reach out to us anytime at trisomy.org or through our contact page. We are happy to help you get set up, answer questions about the Zoom link, or help you troubleshoot your GiveButter page. No question is too small. We want every family to have the best experience possible on July 15.