We Could Be Heroes...on World Autism Awareness Day

Since Alpha Xi Delta's philanthropy is Autism Speaks, we all are very much aware that this month is Autism Awareness Month, and that today is World Autism Awareness Day. This feels like an appropriate time to post a picture of a really cute child to tug at your heartstrings.

(I liked him because his hands are blue, which is the Autism Awareness color!)

For readers who are currently active members of Alpha Xi Delta, I'm sure you've already brushed up on your autism statistics. However, for the sake of the alumni readers who probably haven't had a chance to do so, I'd like to refresh your memory by sharing some of the stats:

• Autism affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
• It costs the nation $137 billion a year
• It is the fastest growing serious developmental disease in the United States
• Boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls
• More children this year will be diagnosed with autism than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

I know the stats are depressing. But they're important to know. Now we get to talk about the fun stuff!

Alpha Xi Delta has spread a lot of awareness today! Some of our sisters were on The Today Show, rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, and worked their tails off spreading awareness around their college campuses, passing out pamphlets and autism awareness ribbons. I even saw a bunch of them on the six o'clock news while I was at the gym today (where I was sporting a blue water bottle)!

You know what's even cooler? People ALL OVER THE WORLD are spreading autism awareness. Many famous buildings are participating in the "Light it Up Blue" event for the entire month of April (meaning they will literally light up blue lights outside their building). Still confused as to what that means? Here are some visual aids of famous buildings participating in "Light it Up Blue"!

The Empire State Building

Graceland (Elvis's house, for anyone lacking rock 'n' roll knowledge)

The Sydney Opera House

Many chapter houses are also participating in this activities, as well as a lot of stores! Autism Speaks actually posted a press release about this, if anyone is interested in reading it.

Also, if anyone has any pictures of their chapter house participating in "Light It Up Blue," send me a picture! I'd love to post it on here.

Why am I talking about autism awareness? Partially because I feel obligated to, since it Autism Speaks official philanthropic organization of Alpha Xi Delta. But I also wanted to talk about it because it's really, REALLY cool what we can do if we put our minds together. 

I want to remind all of you that Autism Speaks has only been our philanthropy since 2009 (fun fact, the same year I joined AΞΔ). And I personally think we've accomplished a lot in these four years. The fact that I'm seeing sisters all over the news wearing blue is amazing. And this year, for the first time, I see people who AREN'T in AΞΔ posting on social media sites about autism awareness–proving that we are finally getting the message across to the public! When we all bond together over a cause, we can truly make a difference. 

We may not be able to cure autism. But we can make the public aware of our cause and raise money for research to find a cure. We could be heroes. Even if it's just for one day.

Uh-oh, I feel a song coming on...