A Message from
Suzanne and Bob Wright
Co-founders, Autism Speaks™
Suzanne and Bob Wright
Co-founders, Autism Speaks™
Dear Friends,
Three years ago, when our grandson Christian was diagnosed, we could not have imagined that today we would be writing to you as the founders of what is now the nation's leading nonprofit organization devoted to autism.
Beginning two years ago with a handful of employees in a tiny makeshift office, we have grown up fast. Through our historic mergers with the Autism Coalition for Research and Education (ACRE), the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), and, most recently, Cure Autism Now (CAN), we are now one of the largest foundations dedicated to autism in the world, with more than 130 employees, and walk chapters across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
In 2006 alone, we raised over $33 million and committed $25 million to fund scientific research. We lobbied hard and successfully for passage by the federal government of the landmark Combating Autism Act. And we significantly raised autism's profile through our Ad Council campaign and a variety of media appearances on television, radio, and print. These are just a few of the many accomplishments Autism Speaks had this year.
But while we can look back at the past year with pride, our focus is on the future. There is so much to do. We need to significantly increase research into both the genetic and environmental causes of this disorder, because although there is the presumption of a genetic cause for autism, there are also environmental conditions that are thought to trigger autism in otherwise normally developing children.
We are optimistic that these additional resources will enable doctors and scientists to discover the causes of autism, develop more effective treatments, and, one day soon, find a cure for this devastating disorder. Until that day comes, we are going to continue to drive toward our goals with all the energy and determination that we, our employees, and our thousands of volunteers and supporters can muster.
Christian's diagnosis brought us into the autism advocacy community -- parents and relatives of children and adults with autism, scientists and researchers, doctors and therapists. It is a dedicated, passionate community that for too long has waged what seemed to be an uphill battle with more frustrations than victories. Now, the tide is turning. Hope is in the air, and we are confident that significant breakthroughs can be achieved.
We are proud to think that Autism Speaks has played a role in bringing hope to a community so used to heartbreak. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Suzanne and Bob Wright
Co-founders, Autism Speaks
Three years ago, when our grandson Christian was diagnosed, we could not have imagined that today we would be writing to you as the founders of what is now the nation's leading nonprofit organization devoted to autism.
Beginning two years ago with a handful of employees in a tiny makeshift office, we have grown up fast. Through our historic mergers with the Autism Coalition for Research and Education (ACRE), the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), and, most recently, Cure Autism Now (CAN), we are now one of the largest foundations dedicated to autism in the world, with more than 130 employees, and walk chapters across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
In 2006 alone, we raised over $33 million and committed $25 million to fund scientific research. We lobbied hard and successfully for passage by the federal government of the landmark Combating Autism Act. And we significantly raised autism's profile through our Ad Council campaign and a variety of media appearances on television, radio, and print. These are just a few of the many accomplishments Autism Speaks had this year.
But while we can look back at the past year with pride, our focus is on the future. There is so much to do. We need to significantly increase research into both the genetic and environmental causes of this disorder, because although there is the presumption of a genetic cause for autism, there are also environmental conditions that are thought to trigger autism in otherwise normally developing children.
We are optimistic that these additional resources will enable doctors and scientists to discover the causes of autism, develop more effective treatments, and, one day soon, find a cure for this devastating disorder. Until that day comes, we are going to continue to drive toward our goals with all the energy and determination that we, our employees, and our thousands of volunteers and supporters can muster.
Christian's diagnosis brought us into the autism advocacy community -- parents and relatives of children and adults with autism, scientists and researchers, doctors and therapists. It is a dedicated, passionate community that for too long has waged what seemed to be an uphill battle with more frustrations than victories. Now, the tide is turning. Hope is in the air, and we are confident that significant breakthroughs can be achieved.
We are proud to think that Autism Speaks has played a role in bringing hope to a community so used to heartbreak. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Suzanne and Bob Wright
Co-founders, Autism Speaks
"This disease has taken our children away.
It's time to get them back."
Thank you to all of the families who have so generously shared their children's photos and stories
-Suzanne & Bob
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