March 29, 2012 - Equitable Life of Canada announced today that it is partnering
with Autism Speaks™ Canada to bring Walk Now for Autism Speaks™ to
Waterloo-Wellington for the first time.
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 24th. The fundraising goal for
the Waterloo-Wellington Walk is $50,000.
"We are very excited to
have Equitable Life of Canada as the Presenting Sponsor for our
first annual Waterloo-Wellington Walk," said Suzanne Lanthier,
Executive Director of Autism Speaks Canada. "Walk Now for Autism
Speaks is our single most powerful force to fund vital research
that will lead us to the answers we need, raise money to support
family services programs and initiatives and heighten awareness
about autism and the issues facing the local and national autism
communities."
"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 first 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 "Decorate Your Workspace
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
As one of Canada's largest mutual life insurance
companies, Equitable Life is dedicated solely to its policyholders.
The Company is focused on providing them with high-quality service,
security and well-being.
Since 1920, Canadians have been depending on Equitable Life for
financial protection. The Company offers a wide selection of
competitive Individual Life and Health, Group Life and Health, and
Individual Savings and Retirement products to meet the needs of its
large and growing base of participating policyholders.
About Autism Speaks Canada
Together with Autism Speaks, the founding organization in
the United States, Autism Speaks Canada has grown into North
America's largest autism science, awareness and advocacy
organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes,
prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness
of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of
individuals with autism and their families.
About Autism
Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental
disorder among children in North America. One out of every 110
children - one in 70 boys - will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum
Disorder. Autism is more prevalent than pediatric cancer, AIDS and
diabetes combined. Rates of diagnosis have increased 57% from 2002
to 2006 and an astounding 600% in the last 20 years. Autism is a
lifelong condition, and there is no known medical detection or
cure.
Media contacts:
Don Bisch
Director, Corporate Communications
519.904.8017
dbisch@equitable.ca
Suzanne Lanthier
Executive Director, Autism Speaks Canada
1.888.362.6227
slanthier@autismspeaks.org
