Today, over 70 million children and adults are affected by autism. Each of them, have unique strengths, challenges and potential. Autism Speaks will be there for them. You and I can be too.

My sister Bella is one of those 70 million and she is the most interesting, honest person I've ever known. ​She lives in the country where it can be extremely difficult to find services to help her, most of the time driving hours to her therapies. Autism Speaks is a lifesaver for people like my sister. Early intervention is one of the best ways to help people affected by autism, but services and therapies throughout life can make it easier to live in this confusing and disorienting life.

It’s only through the dedicated support of people like us that Autism Speaks can continue their vital mission work. Each year, the Autism Speaks Autism Response Team makes direct contact with tens of thousands of individuals looking for advice or guidance and more than one million people access their free nationwide autism services and resources. They continue to partner and support research to improve the lives of people with autism by investing in science that will allow more personalized treatments and therapies. You can find out even more about where your fundraising dollars go at autismspeaks.org/our-work.

Please join me by donating to help me reach my fundraising goal. Together, we have the power to enhance the lives of people with autism and make a meaningful difference. Thanks so much for your support!