AUTISM SPEAKS’ NEW JERSEY SHORE WALK NOW FOR AUTISM

“SKY’S THE LIMIT” KICK-OFF BARBEQUE ON JULY 29 AT JENKINSON’S INLET NORTH

To Battle Growing Epidemic of Complex Brain Disorder

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization, will hold their kickoff barbeque for Autism Speaks’ Third Annual New Jersey Shore Walk Now for Autism event at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at Jenkinson’s Inlet North in Point Pleasant Beach. The walk, scheduled for September 28, 2008 at the Point Pleasant Beach Band Shell, will help increase awareness about the growing autism epidemic and raise funds for research, family services and advocacy to battle the complex brain disorder.

The Kickoff Event:

The NJ Shore Walk Now for Autism Kickoff Barbeque is open to the public (though registration is required) and will be hosted by Walk Co-Chairs Janice McGreevy and Sheila Doerr. Speaking at the barbeque will be David Marciano, an actor from TV’s “The Shield” and a parent of a child on the autism spectrum. Representatives from Autism Speaks will also be speaking along with Sean Donnelly (of Old Bridge) and Amanda Laughlin (of Brick), both parents of children on the autism spectrum and leaders of two of the NJ Shore Walk’s most profitable walk teams.

In addition to providing information about the New Jersey Shore Walk, the kickoff barbeque will be part of Autism Speaks’ efforts to educate the local community about autism and the importance of supporting a national organization with a track record of funding local autism work. Janice McGreevy, Walk Co-Chair and Browns Mills resident says, “It is important that the New Jersey Shore community knows that, while Autism Speaks may be the largest national voice for individuals with autism, the organization also provides resources to local citizens. A perfect example of this is the Family Services area of Autism Speaks’ website where you can find request a 100 Day Kit for newly diagnosed individuals as well as a list of family service providers in our area including therapists, specialized schools, state-sponsored services and even dentists.” Sheila Doerr, Walk Co-Chair and Middletown resident, agreed with McGreevy, adding “Families can also contact Autism Speaks’ specially trained Autism Response Team which is available to connect families with information, local resources and opportunities.”

The Walk Now for Autism events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks, raising more than $26 million last year, alone, to support autism research. Locally, the New Jersey Shore Walk Now for Autism raised $416,000 in 2008 and $275,000 in 2007.

For more information about the Autism Speaks’ New Jersey Shore Walk Now for Autism Kickoff Barbeque and Walk, visit www.walknowforautism.org/NewJerseyShore. Please sign-up for the barbeque by going to www.walknowforautism.org/NewJerseyShore, click on Register Now for the Kickoff.