LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Cure Autism Now (www.cureautismnow.org), a leading organization in the funding of autism research, will donate a portion of the proceeds from WALK NOW New York (www.walknow.org/ny) on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at the Palisades Mall in West Nyack, New York to AutismCares (www.autismcares.org) to support Hurricane Katrina victims affected by autism. Formed by leading autism organizations, AutismCares is a nationwide disaster relief effort assisting the thousands of Katrina families affected by autism left without homes and resources.
“Those of us not in the disaster area cannot fathom the level of devastation that has occurred. It’s hard enough when you have typical children and lose everything; for those affected by autism the challenge is exponentially greater,” reflects volunteer WALK NOW New York Chair Judah Zeigler, parent of an 11-year-old child with autism. He added, “We’re hopeful that the residents of the tri-state area will join us on October 1 and donate to two very worthwhile causes: research to stem the epidemic of autism and services for affected families recovering from Katrina.”
Children with autism often require extensive biomedical and behavioral therapies and thoroughly planned routines. Families who live with autism are facing unique challenges in Katrina’s wake. AutismCares has created a network to support families whose struggle with autism has been intensified by natural disaster, leading to forced relocation and scarce resources. Participating organizations and volunteers will facilitate temporary and permanent relocation, mobilize specialty assistance teams, and provide autism-related supplies directly to these families and the professionals caring for them.
“We are proud to partner with AutismCares and help support the autism community during this difficult time,” said Peter Bell, CEO of Cure Autism Now. “The WALK NOW New York Committee had the wonderful idea to rally the tri-state area to support the Gulf region, and we are pleased to be able to increase our commitment to assist affected families recovering from Hurricane Katrina.”
Co-hosted by Golden Globe-winning actor Anthony Edwards and singer, songwriter and community advocate Chaka Khan, WALK NOW New York is a 5K (3.1 mile) walk and autism community resource fair. Registration begins at 8 a.m.; the opening ceremony featuring Khan is at 9 a.m.; the Walk begins at 9:30 a.m.; the closing ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. The resource fair is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register, donate or for information, call 888-8-AUTISM or visit www.walknow.org.
WALK NOW New York is expected to attract thousands of supporters, including Honorary Committee members New Jersey Gov. Richard J. Codey, Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Connecticut), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Connecticut). Thirteen-year-old jazz pianist Matt Savage will also attend, performing in the opening and closing ceremonies. WALK NOW is sponsored nationally by Chevrolet and Checkers Drive-In Restaurants. Over the last two years, WALK NOW events nationwide have raised over $5 million to support Cure Autism Now’s mission of finding the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism.
About Cure Autism Now
Cure Autism Now is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and funding autism research and accelerating the pace of scientific progress toward effective treatments and a cure for autism. The organization is one of the leading private funders of biomedical research in autism, providing more than $25 million for research grants, education, outreach and scientific resources, including the establishment and ongoing support of the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE). Cure Autism Now has chapters in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hawaii, Houston, Los Angeles, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Orange County, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC/Baltimore. For more information about Cure Autism Now, please visit www.cureautismnow.org.
About AutismCares
AutismCares is a nationwide disaster relief effort that aims to assist potentially thousands of Katrina families affected by autism. Please visit www.autismcares.org for additional information about the AutismCares relief initiative; current newsroom information; aid coordination for families living with autism; online registration forms for in-kind donations of transportation, accommodations, therapy and respite services; how to sign up to volunteer; and information on products needed for care packages.
About Autism
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that now affects an estimated 1 in every 166 children in the United States. Autism is commonly diagnosed by the age three, and in some cases, as early as one year. Characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interactions, and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, children with autism can exhibit symptoms that run from mild to severe with widely differing symptom profiles.
Cure Autism Now
CONTACT: Christi Dabney, WALK NOW Public Relations Manager,+1-323-549-0500, ext. 41, or cell, +1-323-793-9661,cdabney@cureautismnow.org, for Cure Autism Now
