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MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Quakes and Silicon Valley Team Up With Quakes Players' Wives and Girlfriends for Walk Now for Autism

May 11, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they have partnered with the Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation to participate in the "Walk Now for Autism Bay Area" on Saturday, May 30 at History Park at Kelley Park in San Jose. Earthquakes players' wives, girlfriends and members of the team's front office, along with Earthquakes fans will walk in the event that raises funds and awareness for autism.

On May 30, the "Walk Now for Autism Bay Area" registration will begin at 9 a.m. PT, with the walk starting at 10:30 a.m. People interested in walking with the San Jose Earthquakes team, "Miles for Missy", can register on-line at www.walknowforautism.org/bayarea/milesformissy. All participants that sign up for the Earthquakes Team will receive a commemorative t-shirt. All funds raised through the "Walk Now for Autism Bay Area" will go toward autism research.

Earthquakes defender Ryan Cochrane and his fiancé Ashley Clay helped organize the Quakes' involvement in this great cause. Cochrane's sister, Missy, was diagnosed with autism just before her second birthday. In an open letter to Earthquakes fans, the two share their reasons for involvement in this event. To read their letter, go to www.sjearthquakes.com.

To learn more about autism, visit www.autismspeaks.org. For more information about Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation, visit www.ssvcf.org

About Autism

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 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

About Walk Now for Autism

Walk Now for Autism, the nation's largest grassroots autism walk program, is Autism Speaks' signature fundraising and awareness event, taking place in communities across the United States, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the autism spectrum, this successful grassroots fundraising effort not only generates vital funds for autism research but also raises awareness about the increasing prevalence of autism and the need for increased research funding to combat this complex disorder.

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