15,000 To Converge in Doral for Autism Speaks Event

City of Doral Government Center
8401 NW 53rd Terrace
Doral, FL 33166
305-59 DORAL (305-593-6725)

April 4, 2016
For immediate distribution
For More Information
(MEDIA ONLY):
Maggie Santos(305)409-9762
Maggie.Santos@cityofdoral.com

Doral, FL – 31 March, 2016.  The city is preparing for the annual Autism Speaks charity walk; Doral’s signature charity and awareness event happening on Sunday, April 10th, at Doral’s Central Park.
 
Sunday’s goal is to raise $750,000 by Autism Speaks Miami chapter to help fund autism research and to support programs for people with autism and their families.  This is Doral’s 6th year of hosting the walk,   other Autism Speaks Walks are taking place in nearly 60 communities across the United States.   The event is made possible by volunteers, autistic individuals, families with loved ones on the autism spectrum, and local businesses.
 
This year’s Walk Champion, City of Doral Councilwoman Sandra Ruiz, along with Mayor Luigi Boria and the City Council, will lead the charity walk as well as welcoming supporters on stage. “Being involved in this Autism Speaks is to bring awareness and a better understanding about this journey never planned, but more than that, I believe that the truest form of love is how we behave toward others, not how we feel about them,” remarked Councilwoman Ruiz.  “Helping a person with autism to discover more about their beautiful mind, is to better myself,” she added.
 
The Autism Speaks Walk is the largest autism community resource fair in South Florida, providing families with “one-stop shopping” for educational options, therapists, recreational programs, child-friendly activities, and other vital services. Families can enjoy great food with plenty of fun activities for children of all ages as well as meet & greets with Miami’s professional sports teams’ mascots and cheerleaders.
 
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently estimates that 1 in 68 American children is affected by autism spectrum disorder, characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors, making it one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders.

Autism Speaks Flyer

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