'Walk for Autism' a success
Three families raise $6K

Back: Tim Tracy; Middle: Becky Tracy, Jimmie Jo Gay, Suzanne & Bob Wright, Whitney Martin; Front: Trevor and Taylor Tracy.

On May 19, 2007, three families: the Tracys, Logans and Mason/Seebers (all from Blairsville) attended "Autism Speaks" Walk For A Cure at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Ga. Combined, the families raised approximately $6,000.

In 2005 at Olympic Centennial Park there were around 1,200 people. In 2006 at Turner Field, maybe 2,000. This year approximately 12,000 were in attendance. I was so moved when we reached the top of a hill and started to round the corner, I looked back and saw the street flooded with people as far as I could see.

In February 2005 an organization called Autism Speaks was founded by Suzanne and Bob Wright, along with Bernie Marcus. Mr. Wright is the former CEO of Universal NBC; Mr. Marcus is the co-founder of The Home depot and the Marcus Institute in Atlanta, Ga. Autism Speaks combined with other already existing autism organizations in February 2007 to form one large organization. Bob and Suzanne Wright have a grandson with autism and couldn't believe how it could keep getting put on the back burner. They were not going to sit back and do nothing about the rising number of people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). One in 150 people and one in 94 boys are now diagnosed with ASD. Suzanne says she grew up in the 50s when polio was effecting one in 3,000 and it was considered a national epidemic. Now autism is our national epidemic. Since Autism Speaks formed in February of this year, there has been at least one TV show per week and often one could find something about autism everyday. From Larry King, Oprah, MTV, Nickelodeon as well as local and world news, the word is finally getting out! Last year one would only hear about autism around April, which is National Autism Awareness month.

My husband told me nine years ago, "One of these days someone with a little power and money will have a family member diagnosed and they will get the ball rolling." That is Bob and Suzanne Wright. I saw her standing on the corner during the walk and was drawn to her. I felt so compelled to thank her and tell her what a great job she is doing. After we moved on, I said we should have gotten a picture with her! As we reached the finish, there she was and she and Bob gladly posed for a photo with us.

The walk in Atlanta raised over $1 million. Half will go to the Marcus Institute in Atlanta, with the other 50% going directly to autism research. There are 62 cities holding autism walks this year. Also, Dover International Speedway has announced the Sunday, June 3, 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race will be the "Autism Speaks 400 Presented by Visa". This event will mark the first time a cup race has been dedicated to a not-for-profit organization. To learn more about the event, purchase tickets or bid on a special one-of-a-kind experience to be the Honorary Starter of the race, go to www.autismspeaks.org

Thank you to everyone who made a donation to the walk, especially Jimmie Jo Gay for her kind heart, hard work and dedication to our son and our family over the past few years.

If you have any questions about autism or need support, please call or email bukslayert@alltel.net or Becky Tracy at 706-781- 6965.

This article was written and submitted by Becky Tracy,