Media Release

3-31-2010
For Immediate Release

Alpha Xi Delta at Iowa Wesleyan College Hosts AmaXIng Challenge

Local sorority to host AmaXIng Challenge: Step It Up walk/run
to raise funds to find missing pieces of the autism puzzle

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa - The women of Alpha Xi Delta’s Beta Chapter at Iowa Wesleyan College will host “The AmaXIng Challenge: Step It Up “on April 11th 2010 at Iowa Wesleyan College. Teams will participate in a 3K walk/run to raise funds and awareness for Autism Speaks, Alpha Xi Delta’s national philanthropy partner.

“While there is evidence of the importance of early childhood diagnosis and intervention for children with autism, critical funding for autism research is lacking,” said Carlee Jensen, Alpha Xi Delta’s Beta Chapter President. “We are hopeful the southeast Iowa community will join us in our effort to find the missing pieces of the autism puzzle and support our AmaXIng Challenge and Autism Speaks.”

Registration is $3 per team. There will be a limited number of t-shirts sold for $10 at the event. To sign up or receive more information, please contact Amanda at amanda.pearson@iwc.edu or Kendra Murray at 319-759-8183.

About Alpha Xi Delta
Founded in 1893 at Lombard College, now Knox College, in Galesburg, Illinois, Alpha Xi Delta inspires women to realize their potential by providing opportunities for sisterhood, leadership, knowledge and service. The national women’s fraternity has nearly 150,000 initiated members and has college chapters on 112 college campuses and 130 alumnae associations nationwide. The Beta Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta was founded in 1902.For more information on Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity, visit www.alphaxidelta.org. For more information on the Beta Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta, visit www.iwc.alphaxidelta.org.

About Autism
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of Autistic Spectrum Disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism, and to advocating for the needs of affected families. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Vice Chairman, General Electric, and served as chief executive officer of NBC for more than twenty years. Autism Speaks has merged with both the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) and Cure Autism Now (CAN), bringing together the nation's three leading autism advocacy organizations. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org

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Media Contact:
Kendra Murray
319-759-8183
kmurray@iwc.edu