State Rep. Donald Humason, his son Quinn, and Ryan Tremblay at the Ryan’s Rally For Autism fundraising breakfast at MOO-licious Farm Sept. 7. Ryan’s Rally for Autism is a teamed formed by a Westfield family to raise funds for the Western New England Walk Now For Autism Speaks, set for Sept. 28 at Stanley Park. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/wne/rallyforryan.
WESTFIELD – Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, today announced that the Western New England Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Stanley Park in Westfield. Teams can register now at www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/wne.
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 western New England and beyond.
Autism spectrum disorder is now diagnosed in 1 in every 88 children, including 1 in 54 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, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants in 103 cities across the U.S. and Canada to support autism research, awareness and advocacy.
Each Walk Now for Autism Speaks event is unique, offering a safe and fun day for families impacted by autism.
The day includes a one-mile walk, as well as a community resource fair and creative child-friendly activities – a true “one-stop-shop” for families affected by autism. The Western New England Walk at Stanley Park will include games, a puppet show, arts activities and snacks.
In addition to its national science and advocacy work, Autism Speaks has made a significant impact in the western Massachusetts area. The organization has provided funding to innovative local service providers through its Family Services Community Grant program. Autism Speaks science grants have supported research at local research institutions.
“Our Walk Now for Autism Speaks continues to grow thanks to the generosity and support of so many people in our community,” said Kate O’Neill, senior director of field development. “We are helping to advance science and awareness nationally, while also supporting the important work of service providers, researchers and clinicians in our community and communities across America. Once again, we are coming together to celebrate the joy our loved ones with autism bring to our lives, and to advance the effort to make life better for them and their families.”
For the seventh consecutive year, Toys”R”Us® and Babies”R”Us® proudly serve as the national sponsors of Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Toys”R”Us is also the largest corporate partner of Autism Speaks. Since the partnership began in 2007, Toys”R”Us has helped Autism Speaks receive more than $16 million through in-store and online fundraising campaigns, donations from both the Toys”R”Us Children’s Fund and Toys”R”Us, Inc. and the efforts of employees who volunteer to raise additional funds at Walk Now for Autism Speaks events across the country.
