UCF GROUPS WALK FOR AUTISM

Whether it was by wagon or walker, thousands of people, both young
and old, took part in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks event at Cranes
Roost Park in Altamonte Springs Saturday.

The sixth annual walk held by Autism Speaks - the nation's largest
autism science and advocacy organization that seeks to fund research,
child development services and occupational therapy services for
children on the autism spectrum - brought out 145 members of the
Alpha Xi Delta sorority, as well as members from the UCF chapter of
the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Autism Speaks serves as the philanthropy for Alpha Xi Delta
sororities nationwide and the UCF chapter is heavily involved in the
organization. Last month, the sorority held its second annual
Dodgebrawl event on campus to raise money and awareness for autism.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is the sorority's biggest fall event.

Alpha Xi Delta's Programs Vice President Erin Tierney tries to get
involved as much as possible in the fight for a cure.

"During the year we work with a couple agencies in the central
Florida area," said Tierney, a junior health service administration
major. "Whether it be volunteering one-on-one with kids, something a
little more hands-on, we go once a month for a couple hours and help
out the local community that have autistic children."

Tierney said this helps members of the sorority to truly understand
who they're helping.

"It's good for our girls to see firsthand what we stand for, what
we're supporting, what we're raising money for," Tierney said. "This
is it. You see autistic kids and their families and how much it
really means to them."

The sorority has raised $9,612.57 of its $10,000 goal thus far.

Students from NORML were also present to hand out information
concerning the beneficial effects of marijuana on autistic individuals.

According to the Autism Research Institute, marijuana can be a
lifesaver to autistic children going through puberty. These
individuals often experience puberty accompanied by the onset of
seizures or an increase in seizures and/or aggressive behavior and
marijuana can provide a calming effect.

Ben Fenton, a senior economics major, would like for people to see
marijuana as an effective treatment for improving the quality of
autistic individuals' lives.

"One mother was talking to me about her son and the wide assortment
of medication that he is on and how that impairs him much more than
marijuana would," Fenton said. "If you can reduce the number of
medications that a child has to be on, it could reduce the problems
the child faces with ingesting such a vast array of chemicals."

Members from NORML handed out fliers at the event and also collected
50 signatures for their petition concerning the legalization of
medical marijuana.

So far this year the central Florida affiliate of Autism Speaks has
raised $124,511 to contribute to research for the cure.

Since it was founded in 2005, Autism Speaks has committed $131
million to support scientific research, including over 780 grants
into the causes and treatments of autism.

Fifty-four vendors from all over central Florida set up tents along
the avenue in the park. Establishments like UNO Chicago Grill and
Pepsi provided free food and beverages to attendees while other
vendors provided kid friendly activities like face painting and
balloon animals.

Dancers from the Orlando Magic were in attendance to promote ticket
sales for the April 1 game against the Charlotte Bobcats; portions of
the proceeds will go toward Autism Speaks.

Siblings Jake and Annie Kish of local music duo Annie & Jake provided
entertainment from the main stage during the walk and played popular
songs by artists like Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is the organization's signature event with
80 walks held annually throughout the United States as well as in
Canada and the United Kingdom.

"It's an opportunity for people to spend time with their families and
also other people that are on the autism spectrum," said the co-chair
of the event Paul Ramirez.

With a new case of autism being diagnosed every 20 minutes, Ramirez
said that Walk Now for Autism Speaks serves to show families that
they are never alone.

"It's a great reminder that we're all in this together and we have to
stick to it until we find the cure," Ramirez said.