Penn State-Lehigh Valley Turns Blue for Autism

The Nittany Lions in the Lehigh Valley are feeling a little blue this week – and that’s a good thing.

That’s because, for the third year, Penn State-Lehigh Valley is participating in the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue campaign, according to a press release from the college. From April 1-8, the Nittany Lion Shrine at the north entrance of the campus will be illuminated in a special blue light in honor of the awareness effort.

Annually thousands of people, including businesses and organizations, join forces to try to shine a light on autism during the Light It Up Blue campaign. In past years, some buildings and sculptures that have participated in this lighting include the Empire State Building, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the Opera House in Sydney, Australia, the release says.

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. In fact, a study released by the Centers for Disease Control on March 20 estimates that one in 50 children in the United States have autism, which is significantly higher than previously estimated, according to the Penn State release.

To find out more about the Light It Up Blue campaign, visit www.lightitupblue.org.