Walk Now for Autism Speaks kickoff Feb. 19 at the Rose Bowl

Autism Speaks will host more than 150 autism supporters and families affected by autism for the Kick Off to the 2011 Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Speaks, Saturday, February 19, 2011, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the locker room of the Pasadena Rose Bowl.

Monica Holloway, author of autism memoir Cowboy and Wills: A Love Story, and Matt Asner, film producer, parent and autism advocate, will be event speakers. Both speakers have children on the autism spectrum.

Last year’s walk hosted 20,000 people and raised $1.3M at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.

The Kick Off to Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Speaks will take place Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the locker room of the Pasadena Rose Bowl, located at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive in Pasadena.

The event will offer information on the walk including how to start a walk team, ideas to help people gain support for the cause and fundraising tips.

ABOUT WALK NOW FOR AUTISM: The 9th annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks 2011 event will take place April 23, 2011 in Pasadena. Last year’s walk hosted 20,000 people and raised $1.3M at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. Walk Now for Autism Speaks is North America’s largest grassroots autism walk.

ABOUT AUTISM SPEAKS: Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization, dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

ABOUT AUTISM: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism now affects 1% or 1 in every 110 American children, including 1 in 70 boys. Autism is a complex condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges.

For more information contact:
Kaitlyn Mack, Autism Speaks Publicity Chair at (413) 204-3439 or kaitmack12@hotmail.com, Jess Block, Autism Speaks Communications Chair, (909) 706-8525 or JessBlockPR@gmail.com, Pam Eisenberg, Walk & Event Director for Southern California LA Chapter, (323) 297-4686 or pam.eisenberg@autismspeaks.org, or Phillip Hain, Autism Speaks LA Chapter Executive Director, (323) 297-4727 or phain@autismspeaks.org or visit www.autismspeaks.org.