Miriam Foundation's first major fundraising and awareness campaign to help those affected with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities
MONTREAL, Nov. 6, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor at Colorado State University and world-renowned speaker on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), took the stage with Aldo Bensadoun and Jean Coutu for the launch of the See Things my Way campaign. The ambitious $25 million fundraising and awareness campaign aims at providing a broader array of high quality services in Quebec and across Canada to the people and the families touched by ASD and developmental disabilities. The commitment made by these two prominent figures from Quebec's business community reinforces the urgent need for action in this important social cause. Dr. Grandin, a leading advocate for the cause and for the importance of early intervention for ASD, has been instrumental in increasing ASD awareness around the world.
The press conference held today marked the official launch of the See Things my Way major fundraising campaign. The campaign also calls for greater ASD awareness by asking people to visit the dedicated website www.SeeThingsMyWay.org where they can modify their photos by adding virtual glasses and share "how they see things" with their friends and social networks. The campaign will expand to include a social media fundraising initiative to launch in April 2014, during Autism Awareness Month, when people will be invited to don real glasses, goggles, or eyewear of any kind, in order to spark the conversation about ASD and to raise funds to support a broader array of high quality services.
"It is essential to reach out and to help people with autism in our society. I am happy to lend my voice to the concerned families whose increasing needs are not always met because their voices are not being heard. ASDs and developmental disabilities affect everyone, and it is imperative to act to improve the situation," said Mr. Aldo Bensadoun, Founder and Executive Chairman, The ALDO Group.
"As a pharmacist, I am sensitive to the cause of autism. I sincerely believe that it is unacceptable and unthinkable for families to wait over a year and a half to receive a diagnosis. We all need to come together to fight for better access to services, which are insufficient to cope with the tragic increasing number of diagnosed children, which is around 1/88," said Mr. Jean Coutu, Chairman of the Board, The Jean Coutu Group.
For Diane Guerrera, Chairperson of the Miriam Foundation, "the success of this campaign depends on our collective listening and understanding of the increasing needs of families affected by ASD and developmental disabilities. We hope to count on everyone's engagement to collect the necessary funds to offer better access to the services and comprehensive care for the people living with ASD and developmental disabilities," she explained.
About the See Things My Way campaign
See Things My Way, a Miriam Foundation initiative, is an innovative campaign with a novel concept - a pair of glasses - to portray how different individuals, can see the world in their own way. The campaign reflects the importance of empathy and individuality in treatment, support, care, awareness, advocacy, and mobilization.
The social fundraising campaign, to be launched in April 2014 during Autism Awareness Month, will invite every Quebecer and Canadian to wear a pair of glasses or eyewear of any kind, to spark the conversation about ASD and development disorders with the people around them. The campaign will strive to bring about changes that will enable the creation of a larger array of higher quality services in Quebec and Canada. Visit www.SeeThingsMyWay.org to join the movement.
About the Miriam Foundation
The Miriam Foundation has been dedicated for over 40 years to ensuring that greater insight and new research improve the quality of life for all those affected with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and developmental disabilities. The Foundation is committed to raising and investing funds and providing the leadership required to:
http://www.miriamfoundation.ca/
Image with caption: "Warren Greenstone, Chief Executive Officer, Miriam Foundation / Jean Coutu, Chairman of the Board, Jean Coutu Group / Dr. Temple Grandin, professor at Colorado State University / Aldo Bensadoun, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Aldo Group / Diane Proulx-Guerrera, Chairperson of the Board, Miriam Foundation. (CNW Group/Miriam Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131106_C4950_PHOTO_EN_33062.jpg
SOURCE: Miriam Foundation
Olivier Gagnon
Cohn & Wolfe | Montreal
514-845-7087
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