Colgate Creates Puzzle-Piece Fundraiser
HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Colgate women's
hockey team is holding a Player Puzzle Fundraiser as part of its
Autism Awareness Project. Each player has created their own
individual online puzzle on the Web site for Autism Speaks, North
America's largest autism science and advocacy organization. Fans
can purchase a piece of a player's puzzle for just $10 and help
support Autism Speaks U. All proceeds from this
project with go to Autism Speaks, Family Resource Network, The
KelbermanCenter and The OZ Project.
These digital puzzle pieces can be sent to family, friends and
supporters of the Colgate women's hockey to help put the pieces
together and raise money for autism research. To purchase puzzle
pieces, or for more information about the project and its events,
please visit www.colgate.edu/autism.
“We are excited to bring Autism Speaks
U to Colgate's community and hope students will get
involved in our efforts to make not only our campus, but the
broader community, more aware of what autism is, how it affects
people and how we can all make a difference for those affected by
autism,” said head coach Scott
Wiley who, along with his team, is one of
the co-founders of the Autism Speaks U Colgate
University chapter. “Autism is now diagnosed in 1 in every
110 children. That's a staggering number, and it also means that if
you don't know someone with autism already, you will soon. It's
time for all of us to get involved.”
Launched in 2008, Autism Speaks U is an
innovative and collaborative program for college students who want
to raise funds and awareness for Autism Speaks, while supporting
their local autism communities. Student-organized events take place
both on and off campus and range from hosting a 5K run to
organizing a benefit concert, to organizing a panel discussion
about autism. While many of the students involved
with Autism Speaks U have a personal connection
to autism, others not directly affected have also joined the
program to support the cause.
Since its inaugural event at Penn State University in 2006, Autism
Speaks U events have raised close to $800,000 and student-organized
Walk Now for Autism Speaks teams have brought in millions more.
“Since creating Autism Speaks U's first event
at Penn State University, we remain www.AutismSpeaks.org/U committed
to leading college students nationwide in the fight against
autism,” said Adam Dorfman and Andrew Moses, co-founders
of Autism Speaks U.
Autism Speaks U events and chapters exist at
colleges and universities across the country, including: Penn State
University, Stanford University, University of Michigan, Ohio State
University, University of Connecticut, Duke University, California
State University-Northridge, University of Maryland and the
University of Massachusetts Amherst.
College students, faculty and alumni can get involved
with Autism Speaks U by visiting www.AutismSpeaks.org/U.
ABOUT AUTISM
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a
person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships,
and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum
disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United
States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence
of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public
health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
ABOUT AUTISM SPEAKS
Autism Speaks is North America's largest autism science and
advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks
has made enormous strides, committing over $142.5 million to
research through 2014 and developing innovative new resources for
families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into
the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism;
increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating
for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In
addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the
Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and
several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness
initiatives include the establishment of the annual United
Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an
award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad
Council, which has received over $249 million in donated media.
Autism Speaks' family resources include the Autism Video Glossary,
a 100-Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool
Kit and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a
critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the
government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for
insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now
for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across
North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit
www.autismspeaks.org.
ABOUT AUTISM SPEAKS CO-FOUNDERS
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob
Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is
Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners, Chairman and CEO of the Palm
Beach Civic Association and served as vice chairman, General
Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for
more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo
Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and the New York
Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright has an extensive history of
active involvement in community and www.AutismSpeaks.org/U philanthropic
endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She serves on
the boards of several non-profit organizations and is also Trustee
Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. Suzanne has
received numerous awards such as the CHILD Magazine Children's
Champions Award, Luella Bennack Volunteer Award, Spirit of
Achievement award by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's
National Women's Division and the Weizmann Institute of Science. In
2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 list of the most
influential people in the world for their commitment to global
autism advocacy.
