17th Annual Community Breakfast

Tom Harris, Ken Kendrick and Tom Curzon

Danny Openden, SARRC president and CEO, and Sue Glawe, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona vice president community relations and SARRC board member

Approximately 1,400 business and community leaders, individuals impacted by

autism and SARRC supporters attended the

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center’s

17^th Annual Community Breakfast on April 24 at the Arizona Biltmore.

The program featured moving personal stories from individuals and families impacted by autism, accounts from community and business leaders of efforts to create and support inclusive workplaces and community programs, and highlights by SARRC leadership of current research initiatives focused on early diagnosis and the organization’s plans to grow evidence-based programs and services.’

"At one in 68 children diagnosed, we are increasingly more connected to autism because there are more children, adolescents and adults who have autism. SARRC’s success with children, adolescents and adults has given hope to the families we serve, but we need your help to extend SARRC’s network, reach and impact,” said Daniel Openden, SARRC president and CEO, during his remarks at the breakfast.

Openden asked the crowd to help SARRC build capacity in the community.

SARRC’s Community Breakfast is the nonprofit’s premier annual fundraising event, and all proceeds support SARRC’s mission to advance research and provide a lifetime of support for individuals with autism and their families.

(left) Dean Papadopoulos; Stephanie Papadopoulos, SARRC secretary; and Kathy Kent

array(right) Michelle Roddy, Katherine O'Brien and Victoria Ames

(left) Dr. Nicholas Theodore, Effie Theodore, Karen Donmoyer, Danny Openden

array(right) Dr. Nicholas Theodore; Effie Theodore; and Maureen Jorden, SARRC development director

(left) Ian McCoy

array(right) Beverly Taylor and Karen Donmoyer