Autism Speaks, The Home Depot and Philips Lighting Team up to Shine a Light on World Autism Awareness Day

The Home Depot supports Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue initiative with blue light bulbs from Philips

NEW YORK, N.Y. (PRWEB) March 28, 2016

Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, is collaborating with The Home Depot and Philips Lighting, a Royal Philips PHG AEX, PHIA) company and global leader in lighting, to shine a light on autism during Autism Awareness Month in April. Thousands of landmarks, buildings and homes will be bathed in blue light on Saturday, April 2, World Autism Awareness Day. Awareness is a key component of Autism Speaks' mission because it often leads to early diagnosis and treatment, and understanding of autism – a disorder that affects an estimated 70 million people worldwide.

To support Autism Speaks' annual Light It Up Blue campaign, customers can show their support for autism awareness by displaying blue light bulbs, which can be purchased in The Home Depot stores and at homedepot.com. Home Depot will donate $150,000 and Philips Lighting will also provide a donation toward Autism Speaks' efforts to promote scientific research, awareness, advocacy and family services. Over the past 11 years, Autism Speaks has committed $570 million to its mission, and corporate partnerships have played an important role.

"We are thrilled to once again partner with The Home Depot and Philips Lighting, and grateful for their ongoing commitment to Light It Up Blue," said Peter Morton, Autism Speaks vice president of corporate development. "This program makes it easy for anyone to light up their home or business in a unique way."

The Philips Blue A19 LED and blue floodlight bulbs are available in stores and online.    

Last year, 18,600 landmarks, buildings, communities and homes in 142 countries on all seven continents took part in Light It Up Blue. A photo gallery, along with ideas for taking part in the campaign, is on Autism Speaks' website, http://www.autismspeaks.org/liub. The site also accepts donations to fund Autism Speaks' mission.

About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $570 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,274 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2015, The Home Depot had sales of$88.5 billion and earnings of $7.0 billion. The Company employs more than 385,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange HD and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.

About Philips Lighting
Philips Lighting, a Royal Philips PHGPHIA company, is the global leader in lighting products, systems and services. Our understanding of how lighting positively affects people coupled with our deep technological know-how enable us to deliver digital lighting innovations that unlock new business value, deliver rich user experiences and help to improve lives. Serving professional and consumer markets, we sell more energy efficient LED lighting than any other company. We lead the industry in connected lighting systems and services, leveraging the Internet of Things to take light beyond illumination and transform homes, buildings and urban spaces. In 2015, we had sales of EUR 7.4 billion and employed 33,000 people worldwide. News from Philips Lighting is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

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