Autism Speaks, Our Events, Celebrities, Runners and Rockers Raise Funds at Community Events

Celebrities, Runners and Rockers Raise Funds at Community Events

Four fundraising events took place from coast-to-coast, attracting television stars, musicians, walkers and tri-athletes, raising over $356,000.

Autism SpeaksU First Annual “Fear the Turtle, Find a Cure 5K Race/3K Walk”

Bright and early on the morning of Saturday, April 18, more than 400 University of Maryland students and members of the community took to the field outside the Comcast Center arena to pound the pavement in the Autism SpeaksU first annual, “Fear the Turtle, Find a Cure 5K Race/3K Walk.” The Maryland men's basketball coach, Gary Williams, served as Grand Marshal of the event, which was emceed by the Voice of the Terrapins, Johnny Holliday. The runners and walkers raised over $23,000 for Autism Speaks. Read more and view photos here.

Gary Williams, coach of the Maryland men's basketball team, poses with event organizers and the Terrapin cheerleaders.

The Seventh Annual Bethesda Super-Sprint Triathlon

The morning of Sunday, April 19, more than 400 triathletes swarmed the campus of Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Md., for the seventh annual Bethesda Super-Sprint Triathlon, raising $90,000 for Autism Speaks and local autism charities. Many thanks to volunteer event chair Peter Beveridge and his hardy committee of well-toned supporters. The top fundraisers for this event were Westin Beveridge, Michael Waddell, and Karen Leder. Read more and view photos here.

Orna Simpson from Potomac Falls gets a high five at the finish line!

HEROES for Autism

On Sunday, April 19 dozens of celebrities and music fans turned out for the HEROES for Autism event at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles, Calif. The event, sponsored in part by HBO with in-kind donations from NBC Universal, raised over $71,000 dollars for Autism Speaks, with additional funds expected from both an online auction and the sale of the “HEROES for Autism” online fan photo book.

Rainn Wilson, star of the The Office, emceed the event. The evening kicked-off with a VIP cocktail reception and silent auction featuring artwork designed and created by members of the cast and crew of HEROES, alongside artwork by some of the world's most celebrated artist with autism. Guests were then treated to a concert performance by the “Band From TV,” featuring Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, James Denton, and Bob Guiney and HEROES' music composers Wendy & Lisa. Autism Speaks Executive Vice President, Peter Bell, was also on hand to address the crowd, thanking the sponsors, celebrities and fans for their support of autism awareness and research, and encouraging them to participate in the upcoming Walk Now for Autism in Los Angeles. Read more and view photos here.

Emcee Rainn Wilson takes the stage to perform.

Guests enjoy a concert performance by the “Band From TV,” featuring Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, James Denton, and Bob Guiney.

Rock 'Til It Stops

On Saturday, April 25, more than 500 people attended the 3rd annual Rock 'Til It Stops, held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. The event, which celebrated 50 years of Motown with a performance by the Funk Brothers, raised nearly $172,000 and honored Dr. Bernadine Healy, Ronn & Bess Richard, and Monica Robins. Attendees enjoyed both a live and silent auction, which featured sports and music memorabilia, among other must-have items. Read more and view photos here.

From left to right: Dr. Floyd Loop, Dr. Bernadine Healy (2009 Rock 'Til It Stops Honoree and former head of The Red Cross and National Institute of Health), Shari Goldberg and Lori Millstein (Co-Chairs of Rock 'Til It Stops)

All reported fundraising totals are "to-date" - events are still raising money and the sites are still accepting donations. The next event, Autism SpeaksU first Annual "UWere, UAre, USpeak Autism SpeaksU 5K Race/3K Walk" will be held the first weekend of May in Massachusetts. Click here to find an Autism Speaks event near you.