| Purchasing a silver charm is just one of the ways | | | | events every year in different locations to give a |
| that you can help support autism research. | | | | chance for everyone to participate. |
| Autism is a brain disorder that affects one's ability | | | | Another way to help CAN is to become a |
| to communicate and associate with others | | | | corporate partner. CAN is always looking for |
| normally. Symptoms are usually detected in the | | | | corporate sponsorship. Some of CAN's current |
| first three years of life. Autism affects about 1 | | | | corporate partners include Johnson and Johnson, |
| out of every 166 people in the United States; | | | | RBC Mortgage, and MBNA America. If you have a |
| however, there is currently very little information | | | | company that would like to become a corporate |
| about autism. Cure Autism Now (CAN) is a | | | | partner, CAN would truly appreciate any help you |
| non-profit organization that is dedicated to | | | | can offer. |
| increasing the quantity and quality of autism | | | | You can also help out CAN by creating your own |
| research in order to find better treatments. If | | | | fundraising event or campaign. This method takes |
| you are searching for a way to help, there are | | | | a great deal of planning and organization, however, |
| several different ways, including: purchasing one of | | | | it is a way that you can let your imagination run |
| the organization's silver charm bracelets, | | | | wild. One of the more creative fundraising events |
| participating in a WALK NOW event, becoming a | | | | for CAN was the "Express Your Love" |
| corporate partner, starting your own fundraiser, | | | | Motorcycle Ride in Chicago. However, there are |
| or making a monetary donation. | | | | some guidelines and procedures from CAN that |
| Silver charm bracelets are now available through | | | | must be followed if you want to create your own |
| the CAN website to raise more money for autism | | | | charity event. |
| research. Each silver charm bracelet comes with a | | | | Lastly, if you would like to make a cash donation |
| silver charm heart. For an extra donation, you | | | | but are not interested in a silver charm bracelet, |
| may also receive five additional silver charms with | | | | there are several other ways to make a |
| different designs (a boy, a girl, a cross, a peace | | | | monetary donation. You can do it online, by mail, |
| sign, and a Star of David). This silver charm | | | | or through United Way. You also have the option |
| bracelet was designed by actress Rene Russo, an | | | | to donate appreciated stocks and mutual funds or |
| honorary board member of CAN. The charm | | | | you can even include CAN in your will. CAN will |
| bracelet is also available in gold along with other | | | | appreciate any way that you can possibly help |
| accessories that will help benefit CAN with your | | | | them out financially so they can continue to |
| purchase. | | | | provide quality autism research. |
| In addition to the silver charm bracelet, one can | | | | Purchasing a silver charm bracelet, participating in |
| support CAN by participating in a WALK NOW | | | | a WALK NOW event, becoming a corporate |
| event. WALK NOW is a 5 K (just over 3 miles) | | | | partner, creating your own fundraising event, |
| walk to raise money and provide awareness for | | | | making a donation are all ways that you can help |
| autism. At each WALK NOW event there is an | | | | support CAN in the goal to find suitable |
| information center where parents and others can | | | | treatments for autism. With this research, there is |
| learn more about autism and what the current | | | | hope for tens of thousands of people to find |
| research has found. There are also arts, crafts | | | | decent treatment or possibly even a cure for |
| and other activities to keep the children | | | | autism. CAN works to bring hope. |
| entertained. There are several WALK NOW | | | | |