NEW YORK, NY (April 10, 2010) - Autism Speaks mourns the loss of President Lech Kaczynski and First Lady Maria Kaczynski of Poland, a dear friend and great supporter of the autism community.
"I, along with the millions of families touched by autism, mourn the loss of one our great friends and heroes, Maria Kaczynski” said Suzanne Wright, Co-founder of Autism Speaks. “First Lady Kaczynski's unwavering support for children with special needs was an inspiration to all of us”.
Mrs. Kaczynski participated in the Autism Speaks World Focus on Autism, which takes place annually in New York and challenges nations around the world to fund autism research, launch autism awareness campaigns and support services for families in their home countries.
Mrs. Kaczynski was an early and steadfast backer of autism awareness and research, helping lead an international coalition of First Spouses behind Autism Speaks' global efforts. The group, which includes Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, Wife of the United Nations Secretary General, Ms. Thérèse Rein, Wife of the Prime Minister of Australia and Madame Dorrit Moussaieff, First Lady of Iceland, among many others, organized a world-class panel of experts from the scientific community to discuss an international strategy to raise global awareness by leveraging their high-profiles and to promote research into this non-discriminative disorder.
"When it came to autism, Mrs. Kaczynski well understood the value of her position for creating social change and she led by example," said Autism Speaks Co-founder Bob Wright. "She will be missed."
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception only five short years ago, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $142.5 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families through 2014. The organization is 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. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council which has received over $210 million in donated media. Autism Speaks' family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit, a community grant program and much more. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
About the Co-Founders
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright has an extensive history of active involvement in community and philanthropic endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is also Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. Suzanne has received numerous awards such as the CHILD Magazine Children's Champions Award, Luella Bennack Volunteer Award, Spirit of Achievement award by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's National Women's Division and the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world for their commitment to global autism advocacy.
