LOS ANGELES (June 2, 2006) -- Athletes and celebrities from across the country will be in Santa Barbara June 25 and 26 for the first-annual Athletes Against Autism golf tournament, presented by Cadillac. Athletes Against Autism (http://www.athletesagainstautism.org/) is an initiative of Cure Autism Now making a positive impact for families affected by autism. Event participants will play 18 holes on the championship course at the Sandpiper Golf Club and enjoy accommodations at the world-class Bacara Resort and Spa. Foursomes are still available for this golf weekend, benefiting Cure Autism Now.
NHL players Olie Kolzig, Byron DaFoe and Scott Mellanby, all of whom have children affected by autism, founded Athletes Against Autism to heighten awareness about the disorder, raise funding for research and provide support for families affected by autism. By creating a network of professional athletes and sports personalities committed to lending their voice to this cause, Kolzig, DaFoe and Mellanby intend to draw more support from the general public for this developmental disorder that now affects 1 in every 166 children born in the United States.
"Every 21 minutes, another family receives the devastating diagnosis of autism," says Kolzig. "If you don't already know someone with autism, you will soon. We need to promote awareness and early intervention, provide services for families currently coping with the disorder and fund research so that we can prevent, treat and cure autism -- for this generation and generations to come."
The inaugural Athletes Against Autism golf tournament is hosting athletes and celebrities from across the country including: Olie Kolzig (Washington Capitals); Byron DaFoe (former Atlanta Thrasher); Scott Mellanby (former Atlanta Thrasher); Stu Barnes (Dallas Stars); Marc Blucas (actor, former Wake Forest guard); Fred Brown (former Seattle Supersonic); Darwin Cook (former New Jersey Net); John Egan (former coach, Houston Rockets); Don Felder (former guitarist, The Eagles); Don Ford (former L.A. Laker); Jim Gott (former L.A. Dodger); LaMar Green (former Phoenix Sun); Marques Johnson (former Milwaukee Buck); Bill Krueger (former MLB pitcher, FOX NW broadcaster); David Marciano (actor, The Shield); Ryan Nece (Tampa Bay Buccaneers); Jason Olive (AVP volleyball player, actor); Ed Ratleff (former Houston Rocket); M. Campy Russell (former Cleveland Cavalier); Randy Smith (former Buffalo Brave); Greg Swindell (former Arizona Diamondback); Billy Volek (Tennesee Titans); and Curt Warner (former Seattle Seahawk).
Cadillac is the presenting sponsor of the Athletes Against Autism golf tournament, as part of General Motors' national partnership with Cure Autism Now. The Washington Capitals Charities have generously supported Athletes Against Autism since its inception and have signed on as a gold sponsor of the event. The L.A. Legends of Basketball organization has also contributed significant support.
The event is expected to heighten national awareness of autism and proceeds will benefit Cure Autism Now, funding research and treatment initiatives across the country. For more information about participating in the golf tournament and supporting Athletes Against Autism, please visit http://www.athletesagainstautism.org/ or contact Sam Levitt at slevitt@cureautismnow.org or (888) 8-AUTISM, ext. 747.
For more information about Cure Autism Now, please visit http://www.cureautismnow.org/.
Website: http://www.athletesagainstautism.org/
Website: http://www.cureautismnow.org/
