Toys"R"Us, Inc. Raises More Than $1.9 Million to Support Autism Speaks in its Research and Advocacy Efforts

WAYNE, N.J. (May 19, 2009) - Today, Toys"R"Us, Inc. announced that its nationwide in-store fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism advocacy organization, raised more than $1.9 million. This is the third year Toys"R"Us, Inc. has supported Autism Speaks and the fundraising results represent an increase of approximately $400,000 over last year's total.

Funds raised will support Autism Speaks' efforts to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders; fund research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism; and advocate for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. This year marked the first time in the partnership's three-year history that the company's Babies"R"Us stores participated in the fundraising campaign.

"The incredible response to this fundraising campaign, despite the challenging economic environment, demonstrates the passion of our employees and customers to help solve the autism puzzle," said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys"R"Us, Inc. "We are proud to continue to lend our support to Autism Speaks as it works urgently to help all children affected by autism."

In conjunction with the fundraising campaign, the company once again produced a special edition of the Toys"R"Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, which identifies "Ten Toys That Speak To Autism." This authoritative resource for families, friends and caregivers of children with autism features everyday toys that promote development of important language, creativity and social skills. The list is available year-round at www.Toysrus.com/AutismSpeaks.

"We are so grateful to the "R"Us family and their customers for the support they've provided Autism Speaks to find the cause and cure for autism," said Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks. "Our partnership with Toys"R"Us, Inc. has allowed Autism Speaks to reach millions of parents across the country to educate them about autism spectrum disorders and early warning signs."

Toys"R"Us, Inc. and the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund serve as the national sponsor of the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism program, a series of more than 75 walk events in cities nationwide. Additionally, Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us employees across the country are forming teams in their local communities to participate in the walk events and raise funds for Autism Speaks. The complete schedule of Walk Now for Autism events can be found at www.WalkNowforAutism.org.

In February, the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund launched this year's program by providing a $400,000 grant to Autism Speaks. Since the partnership began in 2007, Autism Speaks has received $5.6 million through money raised during the Toys"R"Us, Inc. in-store and online fundraising campaigns and through donations from the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund and Toys"R"Us, Inc.

About Toys"R"Us, Inc.
Toys"R"Us, Inc. is the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer. Currently it sells merchandise through more than 1,500 stores, including 847 Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores in the U.S., more than 700 international stores in 32 countries, which includes licensed and franchise stores, and through its Internet sites, Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and babyuniverse.com. The company also operates the parenting resource website, ePregnancy.com.

About Autism
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, 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. Autism Speaks funds more than $30 million each year in new autism research, in addition to supporting the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, Autism Clinical Trials Network, Autism Tissue Program and a range of other scientific and medical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning, multi-year national public service advertising campaign with the Ad Council. Autism Speaks' family services efforts include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and the distribution of community grants to local service providers. Its government relations department, through its Autism Votes initiative, has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the federal government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to require insurers to cover medically-necessary autism therapies. Each year, Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising events are held in more than 70 cities across the country, as well as Canada and the United Kingdom. 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 board of directors of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation and RAND Corporation. 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.