National Autism Awareness Month

April is National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM)- an awareness initiative established in 1972 by the Autism Society of America (ASA)- and ASA's national headquartered and its network of nearly 200 local chapters across the nation are preparing to increase autism awareness throughout the month.

Ten-year-old Trevor Tracy, a local Blairsville child with autism, will be doing his part in raising awareness by placing posters around town and giving out puzzle piece awareness ribbons. He will also be raising money for a "Walk For a Cure of Autism" in Atlanta on May 19, 2007 at Atlantic Stadium.

If you would like to learn more about this rising epidemic that affects 1 in 150 people, 1 in 94 boys, according to a recent study released by the CDC, or walk in Atlanta this May, you can check out the Autism Speaks website at www.autismspeaks.org. You can also support Trevor in his efforts to help raise money for a cure for autism at www.walknow.org, select the Atlanta walk and click on the "Sponsor a Walker" button and enter "Trevor Tracy."

One hundred percent of all donations are tax deductible and go directly to autism research. This year more children will be diagnosed with autism than AIDS, cancer and diabetes combined.