The Tourette Association of America hosted its 5TH annual walk on Sunday and part of the event’s purpose was to combat myths about the disorder. NY1's Tanya Klich filed this report from Flushing Meadows Corona Park. 

More than 200 participants marched wearing bright teal shirts, on Sunday, to support those with Tourette Syndrome.

The Tourette Association of America, based in Bayside, hosted a 5k walk to raise awareness about the condition.

They say the disorder is widely misunderstood, despite impacting so many families.

"One in 100 we estimate have Tourette or another tic disorder," said John Miller, the President and CEO of the Tourette Association of America.

“It causes people to tic, which is a vocal or motor gesture, which is uncontrollable, so it causes people to do things that are socially unacceptable,” explained Alex Schirling, a Queens College student who was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome when he was a child.

The event featured a performance by Disney Channel star Dylan Brady.

At age 12 Brady was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and now he uses his fame to educate others on the disorder and debunk any myths about it.

"Tourette's is not just a cursing disorder. Many believe it is, the media makes it out to be, but less than 10 percent of people with Tourette actually has that."

The walk raised $30,000 in donations.

"There is no cure for Tourette Syndrome,” said Miller. “We're working everyday with scientists and doctors to help fund research.”

Year round, the organization hosts support groups, events and other campaigns to empower those they serve.

At the 5K, attendees were asked to help by participating in a post it challenge.

"I wrote on the post it to make sure to be strong because people with Tourette's may not feel good about themselves," said one young participant who marched with his friends.  

“Kids with Tourette Syndrome are different so unfortunately, they get bullied more often,” said Saskia Thomson, VP of Marketing for the Tourette Association of America.

At each mile of the walk, organizers set up signs displaying facts about the disorder as well as scavenger-hunt challenges.

“We've made it a high-quality entertaining day while raising money for a serious topic,” said Miller.

"No matter what you have, whether you have Tourette’s, it doesn't have to hold you back from following your dreams or your passion.”

To learn more about the disorder visit http://tourette.org/.