HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (September 15, 2009) – The Centenary men’s soccer team has partnered with Autism Speaks to raise awareness about autism with its Shots For Autism Campaign, head coach Keith O’Connor announced.
The Cyclones will be accepting donations throughout the season with all proceeds going to Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, 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. For more information, you can visit their website at www.autismspeaks.org.
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Many parents and professionals refer to this group as Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Today, it is estimated that one in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism.
For every shot that the Centenary men’s soccer team takes, each pledged donation will go to Autism Speaks. For example, last season the Cyclones tallied 329 shots, which meant that anyone who pledged 10 cents donated 32.90 to the foundation. The team will also accept any other donations through the men’s soccer office or through collections at all of this year’s home matches.
If you are interested in changing the future for all who struggle with Autism spectrum disorders, please contact assistant men’s soccer coach
Steve Bodei at
bodeis@centenarycollege.edu or 908-852-1400, ext. 2903