Autism Walk to be Held Sunday at Mercer County Park

Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, recently announced that the 13th annual Central New Jersey Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor.

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 Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset counties and beyond.

Autism spectrum disorder is now diagnosed in 1 in every 88 children, 1 in 49 in  New Jersey , making it the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. 

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a unique fundraising event that offers a safe and fun day for families impacted by autism. Walkcheck-in opens at 10:00 a.m. Entertainment including a moon bounce and rock wall and Community Resource Fair featuring local autism service providers starts at 10:00 a.m. The 1.5-mile walk will start at 12:00 p.m.

The Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks, raising more than $28.5 million alone in 2011 in 85 cities across the U.S. and Canada to support autism research, awareness and advocacy. Last year’s Central NJ Walk Now for Autism Speaks attracted more than 2,500 walkers and raised over $258,000.

“Thanks to tremendous community support and the work of our wonderful volunteers, our Walk Now for Autism Speaks event has grown each year, and we expect to expand the ranks of both walkers and donors in 2012,”said Emily Josephson, Central NJ Walk Chair. “In addition to raising funds and awareness, the Walk is a chance for families to come together and enjoy a day of laughter, hope and community. Working together, we are making great strides toward improving the lives of people with autism and their families.”

For the sixth 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 Ali’s World, GEICO Local Office and media sponsor Packet Media Group.

For more information about the 2012 Central NJ Walk Now for Autism Speaks, please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org or contact the NJ Autism Speaks office at 609-228-7332or CentralNJ@autismspeaks.org.