Media Alert - 6th Annual Toys"R"Us Walk now for Autism Speaks Canada paying
special tribute to fathers this Sunday

7500 participants expected at walk event increasing awareness and raising funds to support autism research and programs.

Goal of $500,000 expected to be surpassed on Walk Day

TORONTO, June 17 /CNW/ -

    
    WHEN:            Sunday, June 20, 2010
                     08:30 event/registration opens
                     09:45 a.m. opening ceremonies
                     10:00 a.m. walk begins

    WHERE:           Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall
                     3 km walk route: Exit southeast corner of Square - north
                     and south on University Avenue.

                     NOTE: ROAD CLOSURES 9AM-12NOON - curb lane of
                     Queen Street between Bay, University and Northbound lane
                     of University Avenue, Armoury Street.

    WHAT:            Walk Now for Autism Speaks Canada is a family-friendly
                     fundraising and awareness event and is the largest
                     gathering of individuals affected by autism in Canada.
                     Families, friends, autism service providers, educators,
                     corporate leaders, politicians all walking together to
                     raise money for to support autism research and awareness
                     in Canada.

                     Activities and entertainment including bounce houses,
                     face painters, magicians, music. Toys"R"Us Kids Play
                     Zone and Spin Master Toy Tent, Bruce Power Jays on the
                     Road Special appearances by Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Star
                     Wars Storm Troopers.

                     No charge to attend. Register on walk day or
                     pre-register at www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/ontario
                     or call 1-888-362-6227

    WHO:             Families and friends, Corporate Teams, School Teams,
                     Service Provider Teams, and Canadian Researcher Leaders

    SPECIAL GUESTS:

    Kevin Macnab, President, Toys"R"Us Canada
    Steven Wise, Chair, KRG Children's Charitable Foundation
    Anton Rabie, CEO, Spin Master Ltd.
    Dr. Stephen Scherer, Director, McLaughlin Centre and Toronto Centre for
    Applied Genomics (TCAG); Senior Scientist, Hospital for Sick Children;
    Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto
    Dr. Wendy Roberts, Co-director - Autism Research Unit, Sick Kids;
    Co-Leader Autism Treatment Network at Bloorview Kids Rehab; Professor of
    Paediatrics, University of Toronto
    Sandy Hawley - Hall of Fame Jockey
    Jane Holmes, VP Corporate Affairs, Woodbine Entertainment Group
    The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Transportation

    Event sponsors: Toys"R"Us & Babies"R"Us, KRG Children's Charitable
    Foundation, Spin Master Ltd., Woodbine Entertainment Group, Toronto
    Community News, Mr. Case and Minute Maid.
    

About Autism

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. One out of every 110 children is now diagnosed with autism. There is no known definitive cause for autism, no one proven effective treatment and symptoms can range from mild to very severe. Since 1998 over $7 million has been granted to the Canadian autism research community by Autism Speaks. Heightened awareness of autism as well as the accelerated pace of research to finding the causes of autism, more effective treatments for autism and more reliable methods for diagnosing autism can be directly attributed to the efforts of participants in the Walk Now events in Ontario and across North America.

For further information: Suzanne Lanthier, Executive Director - Autism Speaks Canada, [email protected], cell: 416-388-3139