March 27, 2013 - Equitable Life of Canada is once again partnering with Autism
Speaks™ Canada to bring Walk Now for Autism Speaks™ to
Waterloo-Wellington for its second special year.
Already held in more than 80 cities across North America, Walk
Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family-friendly event held
annually to raise funds for autism research and family services,
and to increase awareness about autism. The three-kilometre walk
will be held in Waterloo Park on Sunday, June 2. The fundraising
goal for the Waterloo-Wellington Walk is $ $170,000.
"We are extremely excited to have Equitable Life of Canada
return for a second year as Presenting Sponsor of our
Waterloo-Wellington Walk Now for Autism Speaks," said
Frank Viti, President and CEO of Autism Speaks Canada. "The
tremendous success of our first annual Waterloo-Wellington Walk
would not have been possible without the support of Equitable Life
of Canada and its employees. Our Walks bring thousands of
participants together for a day that is both fun and meaningful,
while generating vital funds for autism research and family
services.""Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental
disorder, affecting thousands of Canadian families," said Ron
Beettam, President and CEO of Equitable Life of Canada. "Equitable
Life is proud to partner with Autism Speaks Canada to bring this
important fundraising event to Waterloo-Wellington for the second
time."
To help raise awareness for autism and build support for the
Waterloo-Wellington Walk, Equitable Life is holding a month-long
"Light It Up Blue" campaign. Starting on April 2nd,
World Autism Awareness Day, Equitable Life will be joining
organizations and institutions around the world by illuminating its
Head Office in blue light to raise awareness about autism.
Equitable Life encourages other organizations and citizens in
Waterloo-Wellington to "Light It Up Blue" at their homes and
offices.
In addition, Equitable Life has planned several fundraising and
awareness raising initiatives for its employees throughout the
month, including: "Blue Mondays" casual dress days and a "Dress It
Up Blue Contest". Equitable Life's fundraising goal is $30,000.
For more information about Walk Now for Autism Speaks, or to
register for or donate to the Waterloo-Wellington Walk, visit: www.WalkNowForAutismSpeaks.ca/waterloowellington.
About Equitable Life of Canada
Since 1920, people have been depending on Equitable Life
of Canada for financial protection. As one of the largest mutual
life insurance companies in Canada, Equitable Life is dedicated
solely to its policyholders. Everything we do is focused on
providing them with personalized service, security and
wellbeing.
Through advisors across Canada, we offer a wide selection of
competitive Individual Life and Health, Savings and Retirement
and Group Benefits products to meet a range of financial planning
and health needs.
About Autism Speaks Canada
Autism Speaks Canada together with Autism Speaks is the
world's largest autism science and advocacy organization. It
is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention and
treatments for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum
disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism
and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005
by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism.
Fundraising walks for Autism Speaks are held across North America,
including seven sites in Canada. Funds raised through walks
and other events support Canadian autism research and community
grants to agencies across Canada that work directly with children,
youth and adults with autism. To learn more about Autism Speaks
Canada, please visit www.autismspeaks.ca.
For more information on the Walk Now for Autism Speaks events,
please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.ca.
Information on Autism Speaks U.S can be found at www.autismspeaks.org.
About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of
complex developmental brain disorders - autism spectrum disorders -
caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences.
These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by social
and behavioural challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An
estimated 1 in 88 children across North America is on the autism
spectrum - a 1000 percent increase in the past 40 years that is
only partly explained by improved diagnosis.
Media contacts:
Don Bisch
Director, Corporate Communications
519.904.8017
dbisch@equitable.ca
Christina Reinhardt
Assistant, Communications
Autism Speaks Canada
1.888.362.6227 ext. 209
christina.reinhardt@autismspeaks.org
