2011 Columbus Walk Now for Autism Speaks - October 9th
The 4th annual Columbus Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness event will take place on 10/9/2011 at Value City Arena at The Jerome Schottenstein Center on The Ohio State University campus. All event proceeds will support Autism Speaks’ work, both locally and nationally. Please join them.
Columbus, OH, September 30, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, today announced that the 4th annual Columbus Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness event will take place on 10/9/2011 at Value City Arena at The Jerome Schottenstein Center on The Ohio State University campus. All event proceeds will support Autism Speaks’ work, both locally and nationally, to increase awareness about the growing autism health crisis, fund innovative autism research and family services, and advocate for the needs of individuals with autism and their families in Columbus and beyond. Autism spectrum disorder is now diagnosed in 1 in every 110 children, including 1 in 70 boys, making it the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
The Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks, raising nearly $26 million in 2010 alone to support autism research, awareness and advocacy. Last year’s Columbus Walk Now for Autism Speaks attracted more than 18,500 walkers and raised over $872,000. Autism Speaks has made a significant impact in the Columbus area. In addition to its national efforts, the organization has provided funding to local services providers and programs, including The Ohio State University Medical Center, The Learning Spectrum, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the Summer Buddy Camp through its Family Services Community Grant program. It also provides funding to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which is part of the Autism Treatment Network (ATN), the nation's first network of hospitals and physicians aiming to improve treatment for individuals with autism. Autism Speaks science grants have supported research at The Ohio State University and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
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 one-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. Children will be able to play in the terrific kids area outside or families can go inside and watch the entertainment that begins at 9am on the stage.
For the fifth straight year, Toys"R"Us® and Babies"R"Us® will proudly serve as the North American sponsors of Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Additional sponsors include White Castle, Columbus Parent, The Columbus Dispatch, Panera Bread, NBC 4, 92.3 WCOL, Raisin Rack, The Learning Spectrum, Cosí, Average Joe’s Pub & Grill, Dairy Queen, Giant Eagle, Oakstone Academy, Ohio Health, Prodigy Student Travel, Bridgewater Banquet & Conference Center, Encore Delivery Systems, and Coca-Cola. Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us will host a tented area at The Walk, serving as home base for the company’s mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe.
For more information about the 2011 Columbus Walk Now for Autism Speaks, please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/columbus or contact Kim Niederst at 614-716-8570 or kniederst@autismspeaks.org.
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, and one in 70 boys. The prevalence of autism has increased 600 percent in the past two decades. 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 North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $160 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families. 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 has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks’ 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, which Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light it Up Blue initiative. Also, Autism Speaks award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council has received over $272 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 and a community grant program. 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 in 27 states thus far, with bills pending in an additional 12 states. 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.
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The Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks, raising nearly $26 million in 2010 alone to support autism research, awareness and advocacy. Last year’s Columbus Walk Now for Autism Speaks attracted more than 18,500 walkers and raised over $872,000. Autism Speaks has made a significant impact in the Columbus area. In addition to its national efforts, the organization has provided funding to local services providers and programs, including The Ohio State University Medical Center, The Learning Spectrum, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the Summer Buddy Camp through its Family Services Community Grant program. It also provides funding to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which is part of the Autism Treatment Network (ATN), the nation's first network of hospitals and physicians aiming to improve treatment for individuals with autism. Autism Speaks science grants have supported research at The Ohio State University and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
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 one-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. Children will be able to play in the terrific kids area outside or families can go inside and watch the entertainment that begins at 9am on the stage.
For the fifth straight year, Toys"R"Us® and Babies"R"Us® will proudly serve as the North American sponsors of Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Additional sponsors include White Castle, Columbus Parent, The Columbus Dispatch, Panera Bread, NBC 4, 92.3 WCOL, Raisin Rack, The Learning Spectrum, Cosí, Average Joe’s Pub & Grill, Dairy Queen, Giant Eagle, Oakstone Academy, Ohio Health, Prodigy Student Travel, Bridgewater Banquet & Conference Center, Encore Delivery Systems, and Coca-Cola. Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us will host a tented area at The Walk, serving as home base for the company’s mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe.
For more information about the 2011 Columbus Walk Now for Autism Speaks, please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/columbus or contact Kim Niederst at 614-716-8570 or kniederst@autismspeaks.org.
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, and one in 70 boys. The prevalence of autism has increased 600 percent in the past two decades. 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 North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $160 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families. 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 has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks’ 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, which Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light it Up Blue initiative. Also, Autism Speaks award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council has received over $272 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 and a community grant program. 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 in 27 states thus far, with bills pending in an additional 12 states. 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.
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Contact
Autism Speaks, Columbus, Ohio
Johnna Evans
614-551-5226
www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/columbus
Johnna Evans
614-551-5226
www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/columbus
Contact
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