Two Men Walk Across America for Autism Awareness

I am proud of the steps that I am taking to help fight Multiple Sclerosis. This weekend, I will be participating in the National MS Society's Walk for MS in Denver. To date, my team has raised over $5,700 for the cause. I am proud to boast that I have a large group of friends who will be walking beside me this weekend. Organizing such an event was a lot of work and extremely time consuming.

With this knowledge, I was blown away when I recently read a story about two men who will walk across America to raise awareness and money for Autism research. Robert Williams and Bobby Genese are participating in the  The Elias Tembenis Walk for Autism, a year-long journey that spans most of the United States and will cover nearly 3,000 miles. The men will walk from San Francisco and end the journey in Washington, D.C. The men are family friends of the Tembenis family and knew Elias well.

Elias was born in the summer of 2000. After receiving vaccinations at his four-month check-up, Elias began having seizures. Within the next few months, Elias began showing signs of autism.

Elias passed away suddenly in November, 2007 from complications relating to ASD as well as his seizures.

Proceeds will benefit the National Autism Association's Helping Hand Program, a national fund assisting families unable to afford autism therapy and medical services, and will also support autism initiatives in Elias's hometown.
 

You can help support the men on their journey. Follow this link to make a secure online donation.