Autism is a national epidemic. Did you know that one in 88 American children (one in 54 American boys) are diagnosed with the condition? Today (April 2) marks the 6th annual World Autism Awareness Day, and to show support we’re celebrating celebrity Vixens who are Autism advocates not just today, but every day of the year.
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Toni Braxton
Singer and reality TV star Toni Braxton, has become very involved with Autism Speaks, serving as their International Spokesperson, since learning about her son Diezel’s Autism diagnosis.
“They haven’t figured out what triggers it, but whatever it is, I don’t care, find a cure,” she told OK Magazine in 2011. “Help my kid; help all the other kids.”
Photo Credit: eurweb.com
Holly Robinson Peete
Holly is an actress, author, activist and philanthropist who is a voice for her community. After Holly’s father, Matthew T. Robinson, Jr., was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1982, and her son Rodney Jr. was diagnosed with Autism at age 3 (currently he’s 15), she and her husband founded HollyRod Foundation. The HollyRod Foundation is dedicated to providing compassionate care to those living with autism and PD.
Tisha Campbell
Tisha supported the second showing of the Colored My Mind: The Diagnosis documentary that features Nicole Ari Parker and Blair Underwood as the parents of a newly diagnosed son with the disorder. The film won an award for Best Short Documentary at the Bronze Lens Film Festival in Atlanta last year.
Photo Credit: US Senate/John Klemmer
Jenny McCarthy
Jenny McCarthy is a comedian, actress and author who has become an activist in promoting research into environmental causes and alternative treatments for autism. Jenny’s son, Evan Joseph, was diagnosed in 2005 and she claims vaccines caused his autism.
