Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson, an award-winning national television producer, author and autism activist, mother of child with autism, founder of Denim and Diamonds for Autism, will host the red carpet event, sponsored by TWIW Insurance Services, will be held from 5pm – 11pm.
ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!), the nation’s leading nonprofit organization that provides grants and resources for children with autism, has announced it 5th Annual Denim and Diamonds premiere fundraiser will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Hidden Hills, California.
Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson, an award-winning national television producer, author and autism activist, mother of child with autism, founder of Denim and Diamonds for Autism, will host the red carpet event, sponsored by TWIW Insurance Services, will be held from 5pm – 11pm.
It is billed as an evening of love, compassion and hope for children with autism. Alspaugh-Jackson founded this premiere fundraiser that provides grants for therapy, biomedical treatments, protective helmets and more for children with autism whose families can not afford the necessary tools their child needs to reach their highest potential.
Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.
An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism. Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually.
Current estimates are that in the United States alone, one out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism.
“This event will bring together Southern Californians who are on a mission to raise as much money as possible to help children with autism get the therapy, biomedical treatments, social skills groups and even helmets,” says ACT Today! Executive Director Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson. “There are so many children in our community with autism, and even more whose families can’t afford the necessary tools for their child to reach their highest potential. We’re raising funds to ensure they do.”
The “denim and diamonds” charity event is expected to draw 500 supporters including community leaders, celebrities and world renowned autism expert/researcher Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh.
“When I began my career, the incidence rate of autism was 1 in 10,000. Today, it’s 1 in 100 children,” says Dr. Granpeesheh. “This is clearly an epidemic. Many children would benefit from treatment, but they have zero access because of lack of funding. This is not acceptable. Autism is treatable.”
The 5th Annual Denim and Diamonds event is hosted by Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson and TV entertainment reporter, Jerry Penacoli.
The event will include an outdoor silent auction and cocktail reception with live entertainment, followed by a seated dinner buffet program, live auction, dancing and entertainment provided by Bruce Springsteen’s former front man of the Steel Mills band, Robbin Thompson. Individual tickets are $100. Table Sponsors are $1,500.