Autism Speaks Announces Walk Kick-Off Event
Walkers to Get Fundraising Tips at Downtown Aquarium
For Immediate Release
July 27, 2011 (HOUSTON, TX)—Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism advocacy organization, today announced that the 2011 Houston Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kickoff event is scheduled for August 6th, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at The Downtown Aquarium.
The kick-off event gives family and corporate teams a chance to network, meet the Walk committee and Autism Speaks staff, and get tools and tips for successful fundraising. Attendees will also have a chance to hear from guest speaker Dr. Stephen Kanne, Director of the Autism Center at Baylor College of Medicine.
Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a unique fundraising event which creates a safe and fun day for families who are affected by autism, a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships. The day includes a walk of approximately 2 miles, which raises much-needed funds for critical scientific research and increases awareness of a growing health crisis that now affects 1 in every 110 children, with another child diagnosed every 15 minutes. The Walk also includes a Community Resource Fair where families can explore educational sources, therapists, schools, recreational organizations, and creative child-friendly activities.
Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us proudly serve as national sponsors of the Walk Now for Autism Speaks program. Locally, the Houston Walk Now for Autism Speaks is sponsored by Asset Plus Companies, Carino’s Italian restaurants and Partners Resource Network. 107.5 The Eagle and 104.1 KRBE are media sponsors.
Each family to RSVP for the kick-off will receive one complimentary All Day Adventure Pass to the Aquarium exhibits, generously donated by Landry’s. Additional passes available for a discounted rate of $11.99. On-site parking for the event is $6.00. RSVPS are required to Houston@AutismSpeaks.org.
To sign up as an individual walker or a team captain, or to donate, visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/houston.
Media Contact: Shauna Caster, houston@autismspeaks.org, 281-714-7077
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, 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. Autism Speaks funds more than $30 million each year in new autism research, in addition to supporting the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, Autism Clinical Trials Network, Autism Tissue Program and a range of other scientific and medical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning, multi-year national public service advertising campaign with the Ad Council. Autism Speaks’ family services efforts include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and the distribution of community grants to local service providers. Its government relations department, through its Autism Votes initiative, has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the federal government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to require insurers to cover medically-necessary autism therapies. Each year, Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising events are held in more than 80 cities across the country, as well as Canada and the United Kingdom. www.autismspeaks.org .
