“Rock ‘Til It Stops” will be an evening of food, music and fun as the Cleveland community joins together to raise awareness about autism and funds to support Autism Speaks’ local and national research, education and outreach initiatives. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to fund projects in the local communities. The concert is one of many activities Autism Speaks is hosting in April, Autism Awareness Month.

The evening will include a special musical performance by Motown’s own Funk Brothers, the best kept secret in the history of pop music and the backbeat of hits by Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and more. This unheralded group of musicians has played on more number-one hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined. They are known as the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music.

Last April, Autism Speaks sold out its annual Cleveland concert event, which raised $250,000. This year’s concert will honor Cleveland-area and national Autism advocacy leaders Ronn and Bess Richard, Monica Robins and Dr. Bernadine Healy. Ronn and Bess Richard are parents of a child on the spectrum. Ronn Richard is President and CEO of The Cleveland Foundation. Monica Robins, is the Senior Health Correspondent and Noon Anchor for Channel 3 WKYC News. Dr. Bernadine Healy is the former head of The Red Cross and the first female head of the NIH.

Check out the Fabulous Auction Items you have to look forward to!

Signed Guitars by:
Stephen Stills
Michael Stanley
Cat Stevens
Kid Rock
Funk Brothers
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Micky Mars and Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue

2 tickets and back stage tour for the Martha Stewart Show and a signed cookbook with 2 American Airline tickets!

4 tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
   Jerry will be performing a one-night comedy show with special musical guest (to be announced) to benefit Autism Speaks on Tuesday, November 17, 2009. Four guests will enjoy a pre-VIP reception with our headliner (s) and four tickets for premium orchestra seating.

Signed bottle of Dan Akroyd Wine

Signed T-shirt by Chrissie Hynde and
$100 gift certificate to her restaurant Vegetarian in Cuyahouga Falls

Private behind the scenes tour and tickets to Martha Stewart Show in NYC

Signed memorabilia items by the Funk Brothers from their film Standing in The Shadow of Motown

A round of golf for four at Beechmont Country Club

A round of golf for four at Firestone Country Club

4 Tickets to The Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin Show at Playhouse Square

1 hour Zoom Teeth Whitening Service

Channel 3 goodie basket which includes a photo of your child taken for weather updates during the Bus Stop spot. Your child will be dresses in certain seasonal clothes and their picture will be aired.

4 Field Box tickets to an Indians Game with a parking pass

Brady Quinn Autographed Authentic Helmet

Braylon Edwards Autographed Authentic Jersey

Jamal Lewis Autographed Browns Hat

2 2009 Browns home game tickets

Schedule of Events

6:30   Sponsorship Cocktail Party
          Silent Auction Opens
          50/50 Raffle Begins

7:30   Sponsorship Dinner Begins

8:00   General Admission Cocktail Party

9:00   Welcome

9:15   Honoree Presentation
          Live Auction Begins

9:30   The Funk Brothers Perform

10:30 Dessert Buffet

12:00 Event Closes
         

Giving Back to the Ohio Community

Mission
Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness, research, advocacy and family services for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.

Local Science Grants
Locally, thirteen projects representing over $1.58 million in investments have been funded in Ohio:

1999-Wright State University

• Neuro-Endocrine peptide hormones are implicated in social behavior development: Oxytocin involvement
• $60,000

2001-Case Western Reserve

• CNS pattern formation and the etiology of Autism
• $99,000

2002-Wright State University

• Cellular mechanisms controlling central oxytocinergic activity: Role in the path physiology of Autism.
• $80,000

2003-Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

• Immune phenotypes in Autism Spectrum Disorders
• $ 119,956.00

2003- Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Division of Developmental Biology

•  Genetic control of mammalian amygdalar development
• $120,000

2005- The Ohio State University

• Pharmacological modulation of functional connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders
• $113,740.00   

2006- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

• Immune Dysregulation in Autism
• $100,000

2007- The Ohio State Research Foundation

• Risperidone and behavior therapy in children with pervasive developmental disorder: Long term follow-up
• $ 97,659.00

2007-The Cleveland State University

• A play and joint attention intervention for a preschool teachers and young children with Autism
• $ 119,536.10

2007-The Ohio State University Research Foundation

• Neuronal nicotinic receptor modulation in the treatment of Autism: A pilot trial of mecamylamine
• $ 173,219.00

2007- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

• Genome-wide association study of Autism characterized by developmental regression
• $ 449,742.00

Family Services Grants

Spring 2008- Western Reserve Speech and Language Partners

• Friendship in Teams (FIT)
• $22,660.05

Spring 2008- Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital

• Cleveland Clinic social skills program for high functioning children with ASD
• $25,000