More than 13,000 participants have already united for Autism Speaks’ international “Light It Up Blue” campaign. Beginning the evening of April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, thousands of iconic landmarks, religious institutions, businesses, and communities in more than 130 countries on all seven continents will join Autism Speaks by shining blue lights as part of the sixth annual Light It Up Blue campaign to raise global awareness of autism. Autism currently affects 1 in 68 children in the United States and millions more worldwide.
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. Its Light It Up Blue campaign takes place each year on the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day and marks the official start of Autism Awareness Month in April. This year, more than 13,000 buildings have already joined the campaign, including the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center and Rockefeller Center in New York City; Niagara Falls in Canada, the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, Taipei 101 in Taiwan, the Tokyo Tower in Japan, Trafalgar Square in London, and even the British Antarctic Survey’s Halley VI Station on Antarctica, in an effort to shine a light on autism for the 70 million people around the world who are affected by the disorder.
In addition to landmarks, religious institutions, businesses and communities around the world have joined the campaign in support of the global autism community.
“The world is coming together with one strong voice through Light It Up Blue,” said Suzanne and Bob Wright, co-founders of Autism Speaks. “Together, we must spread a message of compassion, understanding and hope for the global autism community by supporting comprehensive strategies that address their needs throughout a lifetime. Only through collaboration can we make significant progress for our families, friends and neighbors who are affected by the disorder, not just in the United States, but around the world.”
Locally, the Princeton mayor, Liz Lempert, issued a proclamation declaring April 2, 2015 as World Autism Awareness Day and the Princeton Monument will be lighting it up blue. The House of Cupcakes will be donating proceeds from their blue cupcakes sold in April to Central NJ Walk Now for Autism Speaks. And, in West Windsor, the West Windsor Township, West Windsor Police Department, West Windsor Fire Department, Princeton Jct. Fire Department and West Windsor Boy Scout Troop 40 will be hosting their 1st Annual “Light It Up Blue Event” to kick off Autism Awareness Month at the Municipal Complex (parking entrance) tonight at 6:45 P.M.
For ways to get involved in Light It Up Blue visit www.autismspeaks.org/liub. The website provides a number of creative ideas, including hosting blue-themed gatherings, wearing the Autism Speaks puzzle piece pin, purchasing blue Philips light bulbs sold exclusively at The Home Depot, and turning whole neighborhoods blue. The site also accepts donations to fund Autism Speaks’ awareness and research efforts.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It 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. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $525 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. Each year, Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 100 cities across North America. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 60 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.
