Fwd: Forward to your friends

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Note: forwarded message attached.

Dear Friends and Family,

Autism Speaks is getting ready for its annual signature event, Walk for Autism Research. I am planning to be a part of that Walk and I am asking you to join me in raising critically-needed funds for autism research by making a contribution in support of my Walk.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person's ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, or form relationships with others. First identified more than 50 years ago, autism is typically diagnosed by the age of two or three. Autism affects people of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Few disorders are as devastating to a child and his or her family. While some people with autism are mildly affected, most people with the condition will require lifelong supervision and care and have significant language impairments. Many children with autism will never be able to tell their parents they love them.

Currently, the causes of autism are unknown and there are no specific medical treatments or cure. Physicians have no blood test or scan that can definitively diagnose the disorder. As such, the diagnosis of autism is based solely upon observations of behavior. Despite increasing national interest and high prevalence, autism research is one of the lowest funded areas of medical research by both public and private sources.

Whatever you can give will help! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Sincerely,

Claude Akouri

Click here to get to my personal page and make a secure, online donation.

To send a donation:

You may make a check payable to Autism Speaks and mail your check to me:Claude Akouri480 Norwich Drive Broadview Heights, OH, 44147-4242

All proceeds benefit Autism Speaks, a non-profit corporation. Send all donations to Autism Speaks - Princeton * 99 Wall St. Research Park * Princeton, New Jersey 08540 * (609) 430-9160 * toll free (888) 777-6227 * (609) 430-9163 (fax) * donations@... * http://www.autismspeaks.org/ * http://www.autismwalk.org/

Autism Speaks is a 501©(3) organization, contributions to which are tax-deductible as permitted by law. Tax ID 20-2329938

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