Tampa Bay Walk Now for Autism Speaks Will Raise Awareness and Funds for Autism Advocacy and Research on Saturday, May 1 at North Strab Park in St. Petersburg, FL
Tampa, FL, April 17, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, today announced that the Fourth annual Tampa Bay Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness event will take place on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at North Straub Park in St. Petersburg. All event proceeds will support Autism Speaks’ work to increase awareness about the growing autism epidemic, fund innovative autism research and family services, and advocate for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
“We are excited to build on the success of last year’s Walk Now for Autism Speaks event and expand the ranks of both walkers and donors,” said Beth & Tina Sparr. “Walk day is a special opportunity for families to get together for a day of fun in support of this important cause while also raising awareness about autism in our community.”
Last year’s Tampa Bay Walk Now for Autism Speaks event attracted more than 1,500 walkers and raised over $140,000. For more information about the 2010 Tampa Bay Walk Now for Autism Speaks, visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/tampabay.
Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a unique fundraising event that offers a safe and fun day for families impacted by autism. The day includes a two to three-mile walk and Community Resource fair with educational sources, therapists, schools, recreational organizations, and creative child-friendly activities – a true “one-stop-shop” for families affected by autism.
Toys“R”Us, Inc. and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund proudly serve as national sponsors of the Walk Now for Autism Speaks program. Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us will have a tented area serving as home base for Geoffrey the Giraffe. Attendees are welcome to stop by and sign their children up for Geoffrey’s Birthday Club. They can also pick-up the “Ten Toys That Speak to Autism” handout and see this selection of everyday toys that help build skills of children with autism, created in collaboration with Autism Speaks.
The Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks, raising more than $24.5 million last year, alone, to support autism research, awareness and advocacy.
About Autism
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception only five short years ago, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $131 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families through 2014. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council which has received over $200 million in donated media. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit, a community grant program and much more. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
About the Co-Founders
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright has an extensive history of active involvement in community and philanthropic endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is a Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world for their commitment to global autism advocacy.
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“We are excited to build on the success of last year’s Walk Now for Autism Speaks event and expand the ranks of both walkers and donors,” said Beth & Tina Sparr. “Walk day is a special opportunity for families to get together for a day of fun in support of this important cause while also raising awareness about autism in our community.”
Last year’s Tampa Bay Walk Now for Autism Speaks event attracted more than 1,500 walkers and raised over $140,000. For more information about the 2010 Tampa Bay Walk Now for Autism Speaks, visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/tampabay.
Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a unique fundraising event that offers a safe and fun day for families impacted by autism. The day includes a two to three-mile walk and Community Resource fair with educational sources, therapists, schools, recreational organizations, and creative child-friendly activities – a true “one-stop-shop” for families affected by autism.
Toys“R”Us, Inc. and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund proudly serve as national sponsors of the Walk Now for Autism Speaks program. Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us will have a tented area serving as home base for Geoffrey the Giraffe. Attendees are welcome to stop by and sign their children up for Geoffrey’s Birthday Club. They can also pick-up the “Ten Toys That Speak to Autism” handout and see this selection of everyday toys that help build skills of children with autism, created in collaboration with Autism Speaks.
The Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks, raising more than $24.5 million last year, alone, to support autism research, awareness and advocacy.
About Autism
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception only five short years ago, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $131 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families through 2014. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council which has received over $200 million in donated media. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit, a community grant program and much more. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
About the Co-Founders
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright has an extensive history of active involvement in community and philanthropic endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is a Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world for their commitment to global autism advocacy.
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Contact
Autism Speaks
Kim Niederst
609-228-7317
www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/tampabay
Kim Niederst
609-228-7317
www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/tampabay
Contact
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