Next Stop NEW YORK! Click HERE to Donate to AUTISM SPEAKS!

Go to WWW.FREEDOMFROMFIRE.COM for more info on the Regional Autism Awareness Initiative & to see videos of "The Voyage"!

Many thanks to Rob Buchanan of The Village Community Boathouse . . . 

. . . for arranging the perfect venue for finishing up the Voyage for Autism Awareness in New York on Monday, May 2nd!

See Christina Carty's Press Release below for details:

From:              AUTISM SPEAKS

Contact:          CHRISTINA CARTY– (856) 858-5400; CCARTY@AUTISMSPEAKS.ORG

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“VOYAGE FOR AUTISM AWARENESS” COMES TO A HEROIC END IN NYC, RAISING FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR AUTISM SPEAKS

NEW YORK CITY, NY (MONDAY, MAY 2) – Philadelphia Firefighter, Neil Calore, will end his 425-mile rowing and sailing adventure for autism awareness from D.C. to N.Y.C. at the Village Community Boathouse between 10:00 am and 11:00 am.  The Boathouse is located on Pier 40 at the end of West Houston Street in Hudson River Park.  The boathouse is on the south, or downtown, side of the pier.  Autism Speaks and the Philadelphia Fire Department thanks the Village Community Boathouse and members of the New York Fire Department for welcoming The Voyage for Autism Awareness.

Captain Calore was inspired to raise autism awareness by close friends who have a child with autism.   He set sail on his homemade 17-foot dory, “Spray,” on April 17^th in D.C, followed by a support team which includes Fire Lieutenant Bill Drennen and Firefighter Bill Mattox.  Landings in Baltimore and his hometown of Philadelphia drew large crowds that included firefighters and medical responders, members of the autism community, and an inspired general public.  

The Philadelphia Fire Department released a Regional Autism Awareness Initiative in conjunction with Neil’s voyage for first responders and for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) care providers.  The initiative consists of an educational campaign to acquaint firefighters and paramedics with how to recognize various types of ASD indicators in persons at emergency scenes. It also includes basic communication techniques for individuals with autism who may not respond to verbal stimuli in a traditional manner.

Neil has raised more than $6,000 so far in support of the mission of Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest research and advocacy organization.  Donations can be made directly to Autism Speaks at: http://events.autismspeaks.org/tu/voyage. 


Donations to fund the Voyage for Autism Awareness and the Philadelphia Regional Autism Awareness Initiative can be made through The Fireman’s Hall Museum, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit. Their link is www.firemanshallstore.com or checks can be mailed to The Philadelphia Fire Department Historical Corporation, 147 N. 2^nd Street, Philadelphia., PA 19106-2010.

Captain Calore’s progress can be seen on real-time maps and in videos at www.freedomfromfire.com

About Autism

Autism is a complex neurobiological 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 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. 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 North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $142.5 million to research through 2014 and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is 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. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks’ Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, which Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light it Up Blue initiative. Also, Autism Speaks award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council has received over $249 million in donated media. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a Transition Kit for teens entering into their adulthood years, a School Community Tool Kit, and a community grant program.  Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments in 25 states thus far.  Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

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Today the Voyage for Autism Awareness will make it to Trenton, NJ, where 'SPRAY' will be pulled out of the water and prepared for the 32 mile journey across NJ to New Brunswick. Tomorrow at 0700 hrs, we will enter the D&R Canal at Whitehead road and reach the first of 5 locks in Kingston between 0930 & 1000 hrs.. Come out and give us a hand when we portage the boat around the locks and check out the beautiful scenery along the way. Contact me at 215-906-2146 for more info.