Fw: T.J. Maxx Becomes National Sponsor for NAAR

[Guest guest]

It may be a good idea for those of us (including me) to begin shopping at T

J's. A thank you note wouldn't be a bad idea either. DEB

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AutismLink ListServ

03/20/04 06:53:59

undisclosed-recipients:,

T.J. Maxx Becomes National Sponsor for NAAR

 

T.J. Maxx Launches 'Footprints' Program to Benefit National Alliance for

Autism Research, Increase Autism Awareness

PRINCETON, N.J., March 19 (AScribe Newswire) -- The National Alliance

for Autism Research (NAAR) and T.J. Maxx have formed a new partnership that

includes an in-store fundraising campaign benefiting NAAR and promoting the

need for increased funding for autism research.

T.J. Maxx, a division of The TJX Companies Inc. based in Framingham,

Mass., which also owns Marshalls, HomeGoods and A.J. Wright in the United

States, is launching the " Footprints " program in more than 750 of its stores

throughout the country. The campaign runs from March 21 to April 10, 2004,

and invites T.J. Maxx customers to purchase NAAR Footprints at check-out for

a donation of $1. All proceeds benefit NAAR and all Footprints purchased

will be displayed in the stores.

" T.J. Maxx is proud to support NAAR in their commitment to funding

autism research and raising public awareness. The new 'Footprints'

initiative will give both our associates and customers the chance to show

their enthusiasm and generosity for this important cause, " said Ted English,

President and CEO of The TJX Companies.

Every T.J. Maxx store in the United States is participating in the

campaign and will feature window posters, register signs and general

information on autism and NAAR that are designed to educate customers and

store associates about the disorder and the need for increased funding for

biomedical research.

English and NAAR Honorary Board Member Doug Flutie recently taped a

special message for a video that is being shown to all T.J. Maxx associates

that introduces them to NAAR, the challenges of autism and the new campaign.

 

NAAR's partnership with T.J. Maxx is largely the result of the work

of NAAR Trustee Margie Pascetta, of Topsfield, Mass. Pascetta, who served as

chair of the New England Walk F.A.R. for NAAR in 2001, co-chair of the 2002

Walk and president and founder of NAAR's New England chapter, developed a

relationship with English and the company, which became a major sponsor of

the New England Walks. That relationship has led to this exciting, new

partnership with T.J. Maxx.

" We feel extremely lucky to have T.J. Maxx signed on as a partner

that shares NAAR's vision of funding and advancing biomedical research, "

said Pascetta. " In addition to raising critically needed funds, the

promotion will increase public awareness of a cause that has been sorely

neglected. We are deeply grateful for the support of Ted English and the

associates of T.J. Maxx, who have made this promotion possible. "

Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person's

ability to communicate, respond to surroundings or form relationships with

others. First identified more than 50 years ago, autism is typically

diagnosed by the age of two or three and considered a spectrum disorder

because symptoms and severity vary from individual to individual. Most

people with autism spectrum disorders require lifelong supervision and care

and the most severely affected will never be able speak. Autism spectrum

disorders affect people of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds

and occur in an estimated one in every 250 births. Some studies place the

prevalence even higher.

According to a recent poll conducted by NAAR, a majority of Americans

believe that autism research should be awarded a much higher priority and

want both the government and the private sector to increase research funding

to develop better methods to diagnose and treat autism and to find a cure

for the disorder.

Established in 1994, NAAR is the first non-profit organization in the

country dedicated to funding and accelerating biomedical research for autism

spectrum disorders. The organization was established by parents of children

with autism concerned about the limited amount of funding for autism

research. To date, NAAR has committed $14.9 million in grants for biomedical

research projects worldwide that seek to find the causes, prevention,

effective treatments and, ultimately, cure for autism spectrum disorders.

Walk F.A.R. for NAAR is the organization's signature fundraising and autism

awareness event, which is held annually in numerous communities across the

United States. Additionally, NAAR was instrumental in establishing the

Autism Tissue Program, a parent-led brain tissue donation program for autism

research.

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