'Light It Up Blue' Tuesday to spotlight autism awareness
'Family Fun Night' at EMU Autism Collaborative Center among activities in annual campaign
by Geoff Larcom, Published April 01, 2013
YPSILANTI - Community members are invited to join Eastern Michigan University students, faculty and staff to celebrate the worldwide "Light It Up Blue" campaign Tuesday, April 2.
Here are four ways to show your support on Tuesday:
- Visit the EMU Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn more about autism, buy a blue bracelet or charm for $1 each, or get your hair chalked blue for $2.
- "Dine and Donate" at the Tower Inn Café on Cross Street from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for "blue" food and drinks.
- Drop by EMU's Autism Collaborative Center during Family Fun Night from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for refreshments and a chance to enter in a raffle for a $65 gift certificate toward any Autism Collaborative Center service.
- Wear anything blue.
Autism Speaks started the Light It Up Blue tradition in 2010. It is a global initiative to raise awareness about the growing public health concern of autism. For more information on the initiative, go to http://www.lightitupblue.org/Markslist/home.do
The event also spotlights the EMU Autism Collaborative Center, which was opened in October 2009. The center is a resource to numerous families dealing with autism throughout southeast Michigan.
Children with autism often have a difficult time being properly diagnosed or receiving therapy. EMU's autism center, which is nonprofit, offers a team of professionals and well-trained students from various departments and services ranging from music therapy and occupational therapy to speech therapy and dietetics. Sibling support groups and summer camps are also available.
Autism affects 1 in 88 children and is more common than childhood cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.
For more information, contact the ACC-EMU at 734.487.2890.
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