Walking Across America in Memory of Elias Tembenis

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WALKING ACROSS AMERICA FOR AUTISM: TWO MEN BEGIN JOURNEY FROM CALIFORNIA TO

DC THIS TUESDAY

KICKOFF PARTY THIS SUNDAY IN SAN FRANCISCO

WORCESTER, MA - On Tuesday, two men from Massachusetts will begin The Elias

Tembenis Walk for Autism, a year-long journey across America to raise autism

awareness and funds to assist children with the diagnosis.

Leaving their families, home, and work behind, and Bobby

Genese of Worcester will walk approximately 3000 miles in honor of Elias

Tembenis, a seven-year-old boy with autism who passed away last November

following a seizure. Harry and Tembenis, also of Worcester, hope the

walk will honor their son's memory while helping children and families

affected by autism.

A kickoff ceremony will be held this Sunday at Jillian's in San Francisco.

and Genese will take a day to rest before their twelve-month

journey begins on Tuesday. The walk will take place primarily on Route 50

and the American Discovery Trail, starting in San Francisco and ending in

Washington DC.

Proceeds will benefit the National Autism Association's Helping Hand

Program, a national fund assisting families unable to afford autism therapy

and medical services, and will also support autism initiatives in Elias's

hometown. " We can't thank the guys enough for what they're doing, " commented

Rita Shreffler of the National Autism Association. " With the rise in autism,

our community is starving for aid. and Bobby are two very amazing

people. "

The public is welcome to meet and Genese and wish them well during

the kickoff ceremony from 12 to 4 PM PST. Jillian's is located at 101 4th

Street, San Francisco, in the South end of the Metreon Building.

To learn more about Elias and how to support The Elias Tembenis walk, visit

www.nationalautism.org/eliaswalk.

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Think Autism. Think Cure.