April 29 event at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater will be the culmination of the first Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – For the past 12 years, May 15-June 15 has been proclaimed Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month by the past six New Jersey Governors, including last year’s presentation by Gov. Chris Christie. This year, the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS) is taking its advocacy to the next level by introducing the first Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week, April 23-29.
The centerpiece of that week will be the first Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, to be hosted by the five-time Atlantic League champion Somerset Patriots on Sunday, April 29, at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Tickets are on sale now through NJCTS and cost only $10. Game time on April 29 is 1:05 p.m. for the Patriots’ matchup against the Long Island Ducks.
The goal of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week is to promote advocacy for Tourette Syndrome and the programs/services of NJCTS as the only agency in the state and one that leads the nation in supporting the needs of families, professionals and researchers dealing with TS and associated disorders. Proceeds from Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day will benefit the programs and services of NJCTS.
“The week will be filled with awareness activities to bring attention to this underdiagnosed and misunderstood disorder which affects as many as 1 in 100 kids and adults,” NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice said.
Other events scheduled to take place during Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week include a Media Day at the National Institute of Mental Health Sharing Repository on the Busch Campus of Rutgers University, the dispersion of a statewide EMT newsletter and other materials, and the revealing of this year’s TS proclamation from Gov. Chris Christie and other state legislators. A complete schedule of events will be released in the coming weeks.
Prior to the start of the Patriots game on April 29, there will be on-field presentations in recognition of NJCTS scholarship winners, the Educator of the Year and the Healthcare Provider of the Year. These presentations will begin at approximately 12:40 p.m.
However, the Patriots will open the gates at noon, and kids will have the opportunity to take part in a pregame autograph session with the Patriots on the field. The first 1,500 kids in attendance also will receive a Patriots Youth Jersey, courtesy of Raritan Valley Orthodontics. Following the game, kids will be allowed to run the bases in the Diamond Derby.
“We are proud to be a partner with the NJCTS for Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day at our ballpark on April 29,” said Patrick McVerry, the President/General Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club. “It’s going to be a special event to culminate Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week, create awareness of the programs available by the NJCTS and bring the community together to help families in our area.”
Tickets to Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day are available only through NJCTS and can be obtained by visiting www.njcts.org/ts-awareness-day-2012.php or by calling 908-575-7350. Group sales and corporate sponsorship opportunities also are available.
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New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, Inc.
Collaborative partnerships for the TS community.