2008 Woodie Awards
Third annual 'Walk Now for Autism' raises $111,000
Nathanial Garrod
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Features
One out of every 150 children are born with autism, and that number grows an average of 13.5 percent annually according to the Autism Society of America.
Autism is a developmental disability that handicaps social interaction and communication and leads to restrictive behavior. Signs of autism are noticed in children before they even reach the age of three. Very few children diagnosed with Autism are able to live independently once reaching adulthood. An exact cause for Autism is still unknown and the issue is hotly debated throughout the United States.
For the third consecutive year, Sonoma State was host to "Walk Now for Autism," a walk sponsored by a group called Autism Speaks. The Psi Chi Honor Society also sponsored the walk, with help rendered by the Psychology FIG, the pre-health club, the pre-nursing club and a variety of other groups on campus. In total, there were about 130 volunteers helping with the event.
The walk took place on April 19 and raised $111,000, $11,000 more than the target amount and about double the amount of money that was raised last year.
"I hope to let the campus know that Autism is around and it affects many people," said Michael Eynon, a volunteer at the event.
Over 750 people showed up that Saturday morning to walk in support of Autism awareness and research. Most of the Psi Chi Honor Society, who put the event together, arrived between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. to help set up for the day.
One of the more difficult parts of preparation was creating community awareness.
Psi Chi met every Wednesday for weeks in advance to plan and organize the event, which required hours of time to coordinate.
"I put up posters around the Rohnert Park and Cotati area to advertise the walk," said Eynon.
The walk is one of almost 100 "Walk Now for Autism" events that will be taking place nationwide over the course of the next year.
Autism Speaks, the group that started "Walk Now for Autism," is a non-profit group, which seeks to raise awareness of autism and fund research.
According to their website, last year Autism Speaks donated "an unprecedented $30 million in new research funding to uncover the cause(s), prevention, treatments and cure for autism." Because of this donation, they provide the most funding for autism research in the United States.
In addition to that, Autism Speaks worked with the Ad Council to create an ad campaign worth $81 million dollars, most of which was donated.
Donations are still being accepted at www.walknowforautism.org/sonoma.
To learn more about Autism Speaks, visit autismspeaks.org.
Autism is a developmental disability that handicaps social interaction and communication and leads to restrictive behavior. Signs of autism are noticed in children before they even reach the age of three. Very few children diagnosed with Autism are able to live independently once reaching adulthood. An exact cause for Autism is still unknown and the issue is hotly debated throughout the United States.
For the third consecutive year, Sonoma State was host to "Walk Now for Autism," a walk sponsored by a group called Autism Speaks. The Psi Chi Honor Society also sponsored the walk, with help rendered by the Psychology FIG, the pre-health club, the pre-nursing club and a variety of other groups on campus. In total, there were about 130 volunteers helping with the event.
The walk took place on April 19 and raised $111,000, $11,000 more than the target amount and about double the amount of money that was raised last year.
"I hope to let the campus know that Autism is around and it affects many people," said Michael Eynon, a volunteer at the event.
Over 750 people showed up that Saturday morning to walk in support of Autism awareness and research. Most of the Psi Chi Honor Society, who put the event together, arrived between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. to help set up for the day.
One of the more difficult parts of preparation was creating community awareness.
Psi Chi met every Wednesday for weeks in advance to plan and organize the event, which required hours of time to coordinate.
"I put up posters around the Rohnert Park and Cotati area to advertise the walk," said Eynon.
The walk is one of almost 100 "Walk Now for Autism" events that will be taking place nationwide over the course of the next year.
Autism Speaks, the group that started "Walk Now for Autism," is a non-profit group, which seeks to raise awareness of autism and fund research.
According to their website, last year Autism Speaks donated "an unprecedented $30 million in new research funding to uncover the cause(s), prevention, treatments and cure for autism." Because of this donation, they provide the most funding for autism research in the United States.
In addition to that, Autism Speaks worked with the Ad Council to create an ad campaign worth $81 million dollars, most of which was donated.
Donations are still being accepted at www.walknowforautism.org/sonoma.
To learn more about Autism Speaks, visit autismspeaks.org.
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