Help Wanted: Autism Tissue Program Ambassadors!
The Autism Tissue Program is engaged in a nationwide campaign to educate and inform the community about the importance of brain tissue research for developmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders. However, we need YOUR help. In 2006, the ATP Ambassador Program was established to better provide information to local autism communities as well as the general public. This type of participation is essential to better educate local communities about the importance of this resource.
What would an Ambassador do?
- The local ATP Ambassador could work closely with WALK NOW volunteers to ensure that materials are available at WALK related meetings and at WALK sponsored events.
- The Ambassadors could identify events in their communities where the ATP could establish a presence or collaborate with local organ donation organizations to enforce the importance of organ and tissue donation for transplantation and research
- Volunteers may visit their local organ procurement organization or tissue bank with an ATP staff member or ATP support
- Acting as the main liaison between the ATP and their local communities, they would be available to answer questions at these different events, and at times, provide an additional source of support to a family during the difficult time surrounding a donation
- In the past, ATP Ambassadors have identified local media events and coordinated with ATP staff for support in coordination and/or organizing a media opportunity
- We would like the ATP Ambassadors to be creative and work within their own level of comfort. In addition, ATP Ambassadors may have their own ideas on how to educate the community to increase registrations
We hope to enlist the help of at least 2 "Ambassadors" for each WALK NOW region, but do not want to be limited to WALK visibility! The ATP Ambassadors will talk to those interested in the program and answer questions as well as distribute materials at local walk and outreach events.
"I think all parents of children with autism need to continue to be hopeful about where research may lead in the future and what might be the positive impact of that research for our families. The Autism Tissue Program aptly subtitled the "Gift of Hope," can be just that for families that include a person with autism. By analyzing brain tissue and subsequently doing research studies, I am hopeful that we will have better answers as to why our children's thoughts and behaviors are so often different than the norm. Fifty years ago people said there would be no cure for polio; now that disease is no longer a threat. Hopefully, with research efforts of brain tissue analysis and other research projects we will be able to prevent autism from affecting families in the future and help improve the lives of our loved ones with autism. That is why I try to get the word out about the Autism Tissue Program because I think many people are unfamiliar with it and how it can help our families and society as a whole".
Cheryl Kinsinger
ATP Ambassador, Chicago Region
Currently there are just over 20 ambassadors throughout the United States but more than fifty WALK locations, and the number is rapidly growing. Please help support the Autism Tissue Program by becoming an ambassador for your community!
We are proud that the following volunteers are working as pioneers in the ATP Ambassador program, educating their local communities, working with the WALK NOW groups, and informing the public about the importance of this resource in creative and innovative ways!
If you are interested in becoming an ATP Ambassador in your area, please contact Community Outreach Coordinator Denise Soto at dsoto@autismspeaks.org.
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