lightitup 1Left: More than 50 Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach employees, community supporters, autistic patients and their families formed in the shape of a light bulb, the universal symbol for Autism, to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day on Wednesday, April 2.

Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach employees, community supporters, autistic patients and their families kicked-off Autism Awareness Month by celebrating “Light it up Blue” Day on Wednesday, April 2. More than 50 supporters gathered for a photo in front of the Miller Children’s Pavilion to commit to spreading autism awareness and participate in the international “Light it up Blue” initiative.

1 in 68 American children are identified with an autism spectrum disorder – a 30% increase from 1 in 88 two years ago. Each April 2, organizations around the world “Light it up Blue,” in commemoration of the United Nations sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day. “Light it up Blue” is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism.

Gary Feldman, M.D., medical director, Stramski Children’s Developmental Center, Miller Children’s, also spoke at the event about the impact of autism in our community. “Autism is a disability that is no longer living in the shadows, with more than 70 million people living with Autism in the world, and three million in the U.S., it is a disability that people need to make an effort to understand rather than ignore,” says Dr. Feldman. “Events like our ‘Light it up Blue’ Day that we had today are a great way to educate our community and join in an international initiative.”

Attendees signed two large puzzle piece posters to pledge their support in spreading Autism Awareness in Long Beach and surrounding communities. The posters will be displayed in the new suite at the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center throughout the month. Participants also received a commemorative autism key chain.

The event is one of the many ways that Miller Children’s is raising awareness during Autism Awareness Month. Every night in April, the exterior of the Miller Children’s Pavilion will be lit up blue to show support for raising awareness for Autism. Other highlights of Miller Children’s “Light it up Blue” initiative in April include “lighting up” the Miller Children’s website and Facebook page blue in solidarity with other institutions around the world going blue.

A “Light it up Blue” Facebook contest will take place encouraging the community to raise awareness for autism, and participants have an opportunity to win four loge tickets to an upcoming L.A. Dodgers game. The contest has begun and concludes Wednesday, April 30 at 5 p.m. The winner will be chosen at random and they will be announced on the Miller Children’s Facebook page during the first week of May. For more information on this Facebook photo contest, go to MCHLB.org/GoBlue.

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Light fixtures were installed to light up the exterior of the Miller Children’s Pavilion blue.

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The blue lights for the Miller Children’s Pavilion also can be seen on Atlantic Ave.