Autism Awareness Day is an annual event, held on April 2 each year. The day is supported by the United Nations. The aim is to raise awareness about children with autism throughout the world. Various initiatives a held, including walk and fundraising, however ‘Light It Up Blue‘ is one of the largest initiatives of these events. Here many public building are lit up with blue light.
‘Light It Up Blue’ was set-up by the Canadian autism society, although it has since been adopted as the main activity on the day by Autism Speaks, a large non-governmental organization. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and by his wife Suzanne, a year after their grandson Christian was diagnosed with autism.
In the U.S., this year’s ‘Light It Up Blue’ was spearheaded by musician Shari Rowe. The Arizonan musician is an up-and-coming star, who has worked with Big & Rich, Uncle Si and Marsha Robertson, Maddie and Tae, Parmalee and Three Dog Night.
In a statement, Shari Rowe, said she recognized the importance of raising awareness for those affected by autism, and urged others to do their part as well. For this, and looking forward to next year’s event she called on people to get involved by pledging to wear blue to inspire acceptance for those on the autism spectrum.
You can see Rowe’s message here:
