The Kansas City Wizards and defender Jimmy Conrad have partnered with Athletes Against Autism for exciting upcoming events. Conrad and the Wizards hope to not only help children with Autism, but also lend support to Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Autism and Autism research.
"I think this is a great opportunity to raise awareness about Autism, and I believe that when more people know the details of the disorder, we will be in a better position to affect change, " Conrad said. "I am honored to be involved with Athletes Against Autism and Autism Speaks and hope this is something we can do on a yearly basis."
Conrad and several teammates will host a clinic designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Friday, July 25 at the Wizards Swope Park Training Center. To sign up for the clinic, interested parties can email kansascity@autismspeaks.org or call (312) 515-1452. Clinic attendees and their families will then receive a discount on tickets to the Kansas City Wizards home match August 9 at 7 p.m. CT at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan. A portion of the proceeds from tickets purchased through this discount will go to back Autism Speaks. To purchase tickets through this program, contact Emily Hanover at ehanover@kcwizards.com or (913) 387-3838.
Conrad will then participate in the 2008 Walk Now for Autism October 18 at the Kansas Speedway in KCK. For more information on the walk, visit www.walknowforautism.org.
"It is an honor to have this incredible support of our autism community from Jimmy Conrad and the entire Kansas City Wizards organization. All of us who dedicate so much time and energy to helping those affected by autism are greatly appreciative of the passion and the enthusiasm that Jimmy and the Wizards have shown in offering to assist with this cause that is important to us," Jennifer Currier, 2008 Kansas City Walk Now for Autism Chairperson said.
About Autism
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. 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 dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. It 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 and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. Autism Speaks merged with the Autism Coalition for Research and Education (ACRE), the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) and Cure Autism Now (CAN), bringing together the nation's leading autism advocacy organizations. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
