Donna Alqassar's Fundraising Page
Dear Friends,
As you may be aware, Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today,1 in 91 children (formally 1 in 150 up until 2009 and 1 in 10,000 in the early 1990s) are diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.
You can just imagine how heartbreaking it is for any parent to hear the diagnosis of Autism knowing that to date, there is no known cure and no known cause of Autism. As a Mom of a child who faces the challenges of having Autism, I know firsthand how important it is to have places to go to like the Autism Project. They provide education and a support network to families and professionals regarding Autism, Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, Asperger Syndrom and related disorders and their families.
As many of you know, I am a passionate dedicated Parent Advocate for Families that face the many challenges of Autism. Last year Linda Thornley and I formed the SOS MOMS team and raised $3,385 for the Autism Project's 7th Annual Imagine Walk. As such, we were able to get TWO Stephen Olney Elementry School Teachers a five week training on teaching children with Autism Spectrum disorders. This teacher training was instrumental in educating these teachers in the unique learning styles of these children.
This year our goal is to raise $8000, so that ALL the teachers and aides at Stephen Olney School will receive the five week workshop.
So, I turn to you again and ask you for YOUR HELP, not only in making a donation but passing my cause and link to others that can help too. I can’t do this without YOU! We really need to have more teachers trained in the unique learning styles of ASD children.
I implore you to get involved because with the statistics of 1 in 91 children are being diagnosed with autism…each one of you will either know of or have someone in your own families affected by Autism. The key to our children’s success is having the proper tools and training of the people who teach them each and every day. Please help us achieve our goal by making a donation today!
On behalf of all the Super Moms and Dads who work so hard at helping their special children…Thank you for your support!
Warmest Regards,
Donna Alqassar