Event raises $650,000 for autism awareness, research

An estimated 10,000 people helped raise more than $650,000 for autism awareness at the 2011 Georgia Walk Now for Autism Speaks on May 22 in Atlanta.

The annual event has raised more than $3 million to promote advocacy, research and family services for individuals with autism, which affects one in 110 children nationally and one in 98 in Georgia.

The walk benefits the nonprofit Autism Speaks, as well as the Marcus Autism Center.