TEMPE, AZ -- Thousands of walkers joined together Sunday to raise money for scientific research and increase awareness about autism.
The annual Arizona Walk Now for Autism Speaks kicked off just before 10 a.m. at Tempe Beach Park.
Last year's event drew more than 10,000 walkers and raised over $575,000, with approximately $300,000 of that money staying in the local Phoenix area.
Event organizers said they hoped this year's totals climbed even higher.
All proceeds from the event benefit the Autism Speaks and the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center.
Health officials say autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States and new research claims that one out of every 91 children are born with the condition. Just 10 years ago, one out of every 10,000 children was afflicted.
This year alone, officials expect more children will be diagnosed with autism than all forms of pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.
