For the fifth time, Penn State Lehigh Valley will join thousands of businesses and organizations across the world to help shine a light on autism by participating in the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue campaign.
A 2014 study released by the Centers for Disease Control estimates that one in 50 children in the U.S. has autism, which is significantly higher than previously estimated.
To promote awareness of this growing global health crisis, the United Nations adopted April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in 2007. From April 2-8, the Nittany Lion Shrine at the north entrance of the Lehigh Valley campus will be illuminated in blue for the cause.
This year, the Bryce Jordan Center at the University Park campus will also participate in the campaign. In past years, participants in Light It Up Blue included the Empire State building in New York City, the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.
The Penn State Lehigh Valley community is encouraged to utilize the hashtag #LIUB on social media throughout the month of April to share how they are “lighting it up blue.”
To find out more about the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue campaign, visit www.lightitupblue.org.