Administration

Third annual Autism Speaks fundraiser scheduled April 12

University Park, Pa. -- The third annual "We Are … Curing Autism Now" 5K Race/3K Walk to benefit Autism Speaks (formerly Cure Autism Now) will be held on April 12. The race, presented by Beta Sigma Beta along with Pi Beta Phi and Sigma Delta Tau, will start at noon on South Allen Street in front of the State College Borough Building. Registration is $13 before March 21 and $15 after that date.

In only its third year, the "We Are … Curing Autism Now" event already is the largest single-fraternity, one-day philanthropic event in the United States. At last year’s event, more than 1,100 participants helped raise more than $200,000.

"The Penn State event is a gem that we are looking to expand to other college campuses," said Mark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks.

The event has the attention of local authorities too. "It has been so pleasing to see the extraordinary philanthropic efforts made by the Beta Sig fraternity through their Cure Autism Now/Autism Speaks fundraiser," said State College Police Chief Tom King. "Not only has this event raised substantial funds for a very worthy cause but it also has provided great lessons to those involved and has illustrated to the State College community the positive influences of students and the Greek system."

In addition to the competitive 5K run and family-friendly 3K walk, the event includes autism information, musical performances and the online auction of one of a kind "experiences." Confirmed auction items already include dinners with assistant football coaches Tom Bradley or Larry Johnson Sr. and prime Penn State football seats. Alumni are encouraged to support the event by starting their own fundraising team or join the Beta Sig Alumni team by going to http://www.autismspeaks.org/psu and clicking "Search for a Team" at the bottom right of the site.

Autism is a poorly understood brain development disorder which impairs social interaction and communication from an early age. Today, 1 in 150 individuals (and 1 in 94 boys) is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.

Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is the vice chairman of General Electric, and served as chief executive officer of NBC for more than 20 years. Other board members include Home Depot Chairman Bernie Marcus and Sirius Radio CEO Mel Karmazin.

More details about the event are available at http://www.autismspeaks.org/psu online. For more information, contact Beta Sig undergraduate event co-chair Scott Horowitz at smh5051@psu.edu or (610) 761-7386.

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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