The Lehigh Valley skyline will take on a blue hue Tuesday as part of an annual worldwide initiative to fight autism.
Many local businesses and professional offices will bathe their buildings in cerulean tones to honor Light It Up Blue, held globally each April 2 by Autism Speaks to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day and kick-off Autism Awareness Month.
Across the globe, iconic structures such as the Empire State Building in New York City and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil are illuminated blue to illustrate the importance of research into prevention and a cure for the brain development disorder, which now affects 1 in 88 children worldwide.
"I would love to see our tallest buildings blue," said Nancy Miltenberger, who serves as sponsorship chair for the Lehigh Valley Walk Now for Autism Speaks, to be held at Dorney Park April 20.
Now in its seventh year, the walk attracted nearly 9,000 participants last year and raised more than $500,000 for Autism Speaks to go toward research and treatment for autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
For now, though, she is focused on her first goal as of Friday, nearly 40 structures across the Valley were committed to participate in Light It Up Blue, including schools, eateries, real estate offices and medical centers. And a growing list of private homes that have committed to participate swell that total even more.
"We're trying to get 88 buildings lit in the Lehigh Valley," said Miltenberger, of Weisenberg Township, in reference to the 1 in 88 child diagnoses of autism and ASD as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Blue bulbs can be purchased at local Home Depot stores, with a portion of the cost of each bulb going to Autism Speaks.
Miltenberger is no stranger to autism her grandsons, James and Thomas, 15 year-old twins, have been diagnosed with it. "I'm very concerned with what will happen to them as they age out," she said.
Raising money and awareness during Tuesday's light up, and the Dorney Park walk, can only help, Miltenberger said.
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Valley businesses, schools to light up in blue for autism