It's time to listen.

I joined Alpha Xi Delta Women's Fraternity while in college in 1992 (whoa, this ages me!) and at the time it was an easy decision. A group of wonderful women doing charitable work and of course, having tons of fun. At the time of Rush (when you are deciding whether or not to pledge) I remember them saying that this was a life-long decison. That we would be "fuzzies" for life. That we could use our network of sisters across the country to help when we were moving to unfamiliar territory or to find a job. Ehhh.... ok, I thought. I could hardly think beyond that day back then. But what I never imagined was how life would come full circle. That my Fraternity (they really do prefer this over sorority) would have a philanthropic goal that was so alligned with mine. Alpha Xi Delta has alligned with Autism Speaks (whose tagline is "It's time to Listen.") As many know, Autism is something that is close to my heart. I know more kids with autism than any other diagnosis. It's multiplying at crazy rates. Below is part of the press release I received today from AZD and my hat is off. Of all the Autism organizations this is not my favorite (for many reasons) but it's a start and if it helps find a cure I am proud to be part of it.

• 1 in 150 has the Autism diagnosis.
• Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with Autism.
• More children are diagnosed with Autism than Cancer, Diabetes and AIDS combined.

I'm listening. Are you?

Press Release:
Alpha Xi Delta is proud to announce that we are developing a philanthropic partnership with AUTISM SPEAKS™ and are turning the Fraternity’s national philanthropic focus toward that partnership. Autism Speaks is inarguably the nation's most prominent autism awareness organization. Autism Speaks is a highly respected, comprehensive, and sophisticated non-profit organization. Autism Speaks draws upon remarkable strategic connections in the business, entertainment, professional sports, government, and medical and research fields.

Some facts and figures about autism:

• 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism
• 1 in 94 boys are on the autism spectrum
• 67 children are diagnosed per day
• A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
• More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, Diabetes, and cancer combined.

Incidence vs. Private Funding:
• Leukemia: Affects 1 in 25,000/ Funding $310 million
• Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 20,000/ Funding $175 million
• Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 8,000/ Funding: $394 million
• Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500/ Funding: $130 million
• Autism: Affects 1 in 150/ Funding: $15 million


As you can see, autism is an increasingly prevalent fact of life for many families in our communities. Alpha Xi Delta has a clear opportunity to make an enormous difference in the efforts to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. And with several of our collegiate chapters already focusing their community service efforts on autism under the Choose Children rubric, we know this is a cause that already resonates in particular with our youngest Sisters, who personally know more families dealing with autism than most of us did when we were their age.

Autism Speaks has made it clear that they are equally energized and committed to making this pairing a success. It is evident our two organizations have what it takes to partner well together.



Another site worth visiting and really one of the best out there is:
http://www.generationrescue.org/