Hundreds of people gathered down at Jetties Beach for one reason on the morning of August 25th.
That reason was to spread awareness of a disease that affects one in 150 children. That reason was autism.
Walk Now For Autism was a phenomenal success, with families, friends, locals and visitors on Nantucket alike all coming together for a common cause.
The event, organized by co-chairs Bob and Suzanne Wright, had over one thousand people show up to pledge their time and help raise money for autism awareness. The Wrights are the founders of Autism Speaks. Bob Wright said, "I couldn't be happier [about the turnout.] There are tons of people."
Planning for Nantucket's Walk Now For Autism began last fall, according to Wright. "We'll definitely continue it," he said, "What we're trying to do is to build a Web site around Nantucket to get the resources [families with autism need.] They don't have the opportunity to get in their car and go somewhere."
Plum 98 nominee and Nantucket High School teacher Anne Phaneuf was at the event with her daughter, Claire. She said, "I think finally they're revealing an epidemic. I'm a mother with two healthy children and I feel like we all have to help some how."
She continued, "This walk has given people an opportunity to show that they care and that they have a strong desire to help. This, for me personally, was a way to come out and say this is an epidemic and that we have to do something."
For more information on how you can help, take a look at our helpful links list. Check out our video and slideshow of the event below, and be sure take a look at our segment talking with Bob & Suzanne Wright talking to host Kate Brosnan about Autism Speaks.
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Hundreds of people gathered at Jetties Beach to come together for one common cause: to spread awareness of autism. Autism affects one in 150 children today. Plum takes a look at this amazing community effort on Nantucket.
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