Mitochondria Studies Prompt Novel Research Direction and Funding

e-Speaks || March 19, 2010 Light It Up Blue on April 1 Join Autism Speaks and "Light It Up Blue" this April! Iconic landmarks around the globe, as well as airports, bridges, museums, concert halls, restaurants, and retail stores, will light up in bright blue on the evening of April 1 – the first night of Autism Awareness Month and the eve of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). Help raise awareness – host an event or "Light It Up Blue" online. Version 2.0 of 100 Day Kit is Now Available The very well-received 100 Day Kit has been updated to reflect comments and suggestions from many parents who used the first version, launched in 2008. In addition to the updated 100 Day Kit, a separate Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Tool Kit is also now available for families. And on the Autism Speaks Blog, read a post by Autism Speaks' national director of family services, about how the kit was developed and continues to serve families struggling with a new diagnosis. Autism Speaks and Dollar General Partner to Raise Funds and Awareness Autism Speaks and Dollar General, the nation's largest discount retailer by number of stores, are partnering to increase awareness of autism and raise funds for autism research and advocacy during Autism Awareness Month in April. To kick off the month-long campaign, Dollar General has donated $50,000 to Autism Speaks. Every Member of the Kentucky House Had Courage to Help Children With Autism Autism Speaks today joined Kentucky families and in applauding all members of the House for their passage of House Bill 159, which requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies, such as applied behavior analysis. The House passed HB 159 in a unanimous 97-0 vote.  Mitochondria Studies Prompt Novel Research Direction and Funding At the end of 2008, Autism Speaks' High Risk, High Impact initiative invested in groundbreaking research in mitochondria and autism at the Universities of California at Irvine (UCI) and San Diego (UCSD). In just a year's time, this investment has borne fruit in terms of novel research directions and new investments from the federal government. Catching Up with Holly Robinson Peete This past Sunday, the new season of "Celebrity Apprentice" debuted, featuring Autism Speaks national board member Holly Robinson Peete as a contestant. It was a busy week for Holly, as she also penned a blog post for The Huffington Post. Tune in Sunday night to watch episode two and e-mail your recap to editors@autismspeaks.org – maybe yours will be featured on the Autism Speaks blog next Monday! In Their Own Words – Siblings Speak … It's Time to Listen This week's "In Their Own Words" is the testimony of 10-year-old Ellie Simon, the sister of Danny Simon who has autism. Last week, Ellie spoke before the HGO Committee, testifying in support of HB 1091, Maryland's autism insurance reform bill. Coming Soon March 20  Autism Awareness Day at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Penn.)  Treasure Coast Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Jensen Beach, Fla.) March 22  Westchester/Fairfield Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-off Event (Rye Brook, N.Y.)  March 23  Northern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-off Event (Hackensack, N.J.)  March 24  Laurel Highlands Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-off Event (Greensburg, Penn.) Donate Now • Contact Us • Autism Speaks Blog Four Simple Ways to Support Autism Speaks  Forward this Email | Follow us on Twitter | Join us on Facebook | Join our Online Community This e-mail is only available in HTML format. If you cannot read HTML messages, just click the following link to view this e-mail in your browser: http://www.autismspeaks.org/html_email/e_speaks_2010_0319.php. © 2010 Autism Speaks, Inc.  Please add contactus@autismspeaks.org to your address book or safe sender list to ensure e-Speaks is delivered to your inbox.