Having a child with autism is certainly not without its daily challenges; being a super-active advocate
for those individuals presents an entirely different set of trials and tribulations. But all of the hurdles that come with autism won’t slow Lori Peacock. As a mother of a child with autism, she was bound and determined to do more for research and awareness of this baffling disability.
First she went local, serving on the governor’s Task Force for Autism and speaking before the Ohio legislature on issues relating to autism. Now she has gone national with her efforts in becoming co-chairman for Autism speaks’ famed Walk Now for Autism program.
Walk Now for Autism is the nation’s largest grassroots autism walk program, taking place in communities across the United states, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the autism spectrum, this successful fundraising effort not only generates
vital funds for autism research but also raises awareness about its increasing prevalence.
Thanks to Lori, on October 11, 2009, over 15,000 participants rallied at Value City Arena at The Jerome schottenstein Center to raise $706,000: an increase of over $124,000 from the 2008 Walk total of $582,000.
In addition to her wonderful work for autism locally and nationally, Lori has taken her benevolence around the world as co-founder of Nziza, Inc.: a nonprofit designed to promote cross-cultural exchanges between students in the United states and students in Rwanda and southern Uganda. The word “Nziza” is the Kinyarwanda word for “beautiful” and that’s exactly what Lori’s work is – both at home and abroad.