(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, an advocate for autism awareness, joined football great Dan Marino and over 25 thousand supporters at the Third Annual Dan Marino Foundation Walkabout Autism event at Sun Life Stadium on January 26. Last year this event raised over five thousand dollars and benefits the Autism Societies of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism & Related Disabilities) and the Dan Marino Foundation.
Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder, according to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 88 children in the United States have autism. Commissioner Diaz continues to create awareness to this neurobiological disorder that appears in children as early as 6 months and has even sponsored legislation declaring every April as Autism Awareness Month in Miami-Dade County.
“I think the prevalence of autism cases in this country is motivating families to educate themselves about the disorder and help raise the money needed for better research and treatment,” said Commissioner Diaz. “The Dan Marino Foundation continues to do an outstanding job addressing those needs within our own community and ensure the funds raised in this event support the South Florida Autism Community.”
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