Thursday, April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day and the Cleveland Cavaliers will join the rest of the NBA to “Light it Up Blue” that night when they host the Miami Heat at 8:00 p.m. Thursday culminates the league’s sixth annual Autism Awareness Week, and the Cavs will do their part to recognize the cause by hosting Autism Awareness Night at their game that evening.
Fans will notice the traditional baby blue of Autism Awareness as they enter Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday, as the Arcade Entrance (corner of Huron and E. 6th Streets) will be lit in blue and have the well-known puzzle piece projected there.
There will be multiple ways for fans at The Q that night to show their support and learn more about the developmental brain disorders known as autism spectrum disorders, which affects 1 in 68 children in the United States:
- Stop by the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism and Autism Speaks tables on the concourse
- Applaud the affected children from Autism Speaks that will take part in the “high five tunnel” at the Cavs bench before the game
- Listen to the in-game interview with Dr. Thomas Frazier, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism
- Check out the autism facts on Humongotron throughout the game, provided by the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism, as well as the Autism Speaks PSA
- Take advantage of the Autism Awareness blue paint for one night only at the hair and face painting stations on the concourse
- Buy 50/50 raffle tickets, the proceeds of which will benefit both the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism and Autism Speaks
Fans at Thursday’s game will also notice Cavs coaches, broadcasters and staff wearing Autism Awareness lapel pins.
About Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism:
As national leaders since 1998, Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism is involved in research to identify causes and advance treatments for autism spectrum disorders. Their state-of-the-art autism facility is dedicated to treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, young adults and families dealing with autism spectrum disorders. It is uniquely integrated within the healthcare system and housed in the Debra Ann November Wing at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation Campus. For more information: clevelandclinicchildrens.org/autism.
About Autism Speaks:
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Their longtime friend Bernie Marcus donated $25 million to help financially launch the organization. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. For more information: autismspeaks.org.