Walk Now for Autism in Chicago
Just a few weeks after moving to the Chicago area, I’m already finding great athletic charity events taking place in the Windy City. It turns out that all I have to do is read my Chicago Tribune every morning with my cup of coffee and keep an eye out for events!
I spotted one this morning that looked like a great cause: the 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism, organized by the organization Autism Speaks and taking place on Saturday, May 16, at Soldier Field.
According to Autism Speaks, approximately 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism, including 1 in every 94 boys, and a new autism case is diagnosed every 20 minutes. Autism has no cure and affects countless children and families.
Funds raised at the 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism will support autism research, awareness, advocacy, and family services for those affected by autism; the event is also designed to bring hope to everyone affected by this condition. Here are the details of this great event:
What: The 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism is a 5K (3.1 mile) walk.
When: Saturday, May 16, 2009, Registration @ 8 AM, Walk @ 10 AM
Where: Soldier Field, 1410 South Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60605
Cost: There is no minimum entrance fee, but those who raise at least $100 will receive a 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism t-shirt. Interestingly, other higher dollar incentives have been suspended due to the community’s interest in using more dollars for direct services than for event costs.
Other: In addition to the 5K walk, the 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism will feature children’s activities, a resource fair, entertainment, and light refreshments.
For more information: www.walknowforautism.org/chicago
Have you participated in a Walk Now for Autism event and/or do you know a family affected by autism? Share your thoughts about this event by posting a comment to this blog. I hope to participate in the 2009 Chicago Walk Now for Autism as one of the many athletic charity events I will attend in the Windy City in the months and years to come!
i want to thank all the people who have donated money to the Autism Awareness Program. You will help make a difference in the life of the future children to come.
I attended this event this year and walked it on crutches the entire 3.1 miles for my 2 daughters with autism. We had a large turnout of walkers to support us and we raised quite a bit of money to help support the families of children with autism. I hope that, although I don’t believe autism can be cured, it can be made much better through hard work and determination. I have worked so hard with my girls and they have gone through a lot of therapy, a combination of my own programs and conventional therapies. I am a strong advocate for my children and I hope that their stories will inspire others to realize that there is hope.
Congratulations, Christina, on your success with your daughters, your fundraising success, and your success in completing the event on crutches!! What an inspiration you are!! All the best to you and your daughters.
This was our 6th year to participate and every year the walk gets bigger and bigger! It is an issue that will affect everyone, even if you don’t have a family member with autism. The costs on our healthcare system are and will be huge. We must find out why so many children are getting autism. The statistics are even more grave now — 1 our of 110 children, 1 out of 70 boys.
Come walk with us in 2010. You will be inspired!