Thursday, October 16, 2008

Walk Now for Autism at Suffolk Downs this Sunday

EAST BOSTON, MA - The 8th Annual Greater Boston Walk Now For Autism will take place this Sunday, October 19 at Suffolk Downs.

Thousands of walkers - including individuals with autism, their families and friends - are expected to join together to raise much-needed funds for critical scientific research and to increase awareness about a growing health crisis that now affects one in every 150 children.

All proceeds from the event benefit Autism Speaks, the nation’s leading autism advocacy organization. Greater Boston walkers raised more than $1.3 million dollars at this event in 2007, when it was held at Suffolk Downs for the first time.


Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the walk will commence at 10:30 a.m. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is scheduled to welcome the walkers prior to the 10:30 start.

The walk will take place on the racetrack itself, which is one mile in circumference. The event will also include various forms of family entertainment and refreshments will be provided. There is no live racing on Sunday, but the track will be open for simulcasting as usual.

Established in 2000, the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism events are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks and have attracted hundreds of thousands of walkers worldwide who have raised tens of millions of dollars for autism research.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Another child is diagnosed every 20 minutes.

For more information about the event, visit http://www.walknowforautism.org/greaterboston .

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