HOSA hosted a Rare Disease Walk Nov. 23. The walk was for unknown or uncommon diseases, such as Laurence Moon Syndrome, Pars Planitis and Lentigo Maligna Melanoma . Many Round Rock ISD schools participated, as well as Leander schools.

This is the first year for McNeil to host a walk; in previous years HOSA members just attended other walks.

HOSA members attended multiple walks, including the autism, cystic fibrosis, and multiple sclerosis walks.

“I joined last year, and my favorite walk was definitely the autism walk.They had a dance instructor and she really helped everyone get involved,” junior Julie Pham said. “It was so much fun to interact with all the people and support the walk at the same time.”

Another unique walk the HOSA students went to was in downtown Austin at night; the walk supported leukemia and lymphoma patients. Each person, about 1,000 people, carried red lanterns to walk around with and light when it became dark.

“We had lots of colorful lanterns, it was dark, and it looked really magical because of all the people walking around with the lights and everything,” junior Nikki Dhir said. “It was also really fun because we knew it was for a good cause.”