More Than 55,000 People Expected to Participate in the 13th Annual "Walk Now for Autism Speaks" at The Rose Bowl, April 18

LOS ANGELES, April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 55,000 people are expected to unite for the 13^th annual Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Speaks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, April 18, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150413/198036

For the 12th year, ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor Phillip Palmer will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Univision anchor Gabriela Teissier will also be participating. Many notable attendees feted to attend include David Marciano (Homeland), Max Burkholder (Parenthood), Cousin Sal (Jimmy Kimmel Live), among others.

"Last year's Walk Now for Autism Speaks Los Angeles hosted 55,000 people and raised $1.88M," said Jennifer Jones, Autism Speaks Director, Field Development for Southern California. "Autism is an epidemic. Every 11 minutes a child is diagnosed with autism - that's one in 68 children (and one in 42 boys). The annual cost for families living with Autism Spectrum Disorders is an average of $60,000. I'm proud of this great Los Angeles community that has come together to help raise these much needed funds and support."

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is North America's largest grassroots autism walk and was named the highest fundraising autism walk in the country for 2014.  Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the autism spectrum, this fundraising effort generates vital funds for autism research, family programs and services, and raises awareness about the increasing prevalence of autism, the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the U.S., and the need for increased research funding to combat this complex disorder.

Registration, entertainment and stage programs begin at 8 a.m. The Walk starts at 9 a.m. and will continue on a rolling basis every ten minutes through 11:00 a.m.

SPONSORS include Butterfly Effects: ABA Therapy, Capital Group, Care 1^st, 51 Fifty Energy Drinks, LA Federal Credit Union, Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, My Gym, Perricone Farms, Premier Healthcare Services, Sketchers, Strom Klein & Associates, Toyota, Trident Case, Vivint, We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym and Zenith.

MEDIA SPONSORS include ABC7, Autism Live, 93.1 Jack FM, KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO, L.A. Parent, Pasadena-Star News, Univision 34 Los Angeles and Variety

IN-KIND DONATION SPONSORS: illy issimo Coffee Beverages, Kidspace Children's Museum, KIND Bars, Kinetic Sand, Law Offices of Georgianna Junco-Kelman, MTB Event Rental, Ralphs, RWB Party Props, Sprouts Farmers Market and Woodsmall Law Group.

For more information on the LA Walk Now for Autism Speaks: www.walknowforautismspeaks.org

FOR MEDIA:

Members of the media are invited to attend the event, interview and photograph participants, volunteers and special guests. Press credentials and check-in are required. Please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

PRESS CONTACTS:
Weissman/Markovitz Communications
Cheri Warner | Nicole Player
Office: 818.760.8995
Cell: Cheri – 818.390.0999 | Nicole – 510.292.3649
Email| Email

SOURCE Autism Speaks

Related Links

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org