NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Suzanne Wright, the co-founder of Autism Speaks, died Friday afternoon, at her home in Fairfield, Connecticut.
According to Autism Speaks, Suzanne had been battling pancreatic cancer for nine months and was surrounded by her family at the time of her death. She was 69.
Autism Speaks Chairman of the Board of Directors Brian Kelly and President and CEO Angela Geiger honored Suzanne’s enduring legacy in a joint statement:
“What Suzanne Wright has done to raise awareness of autism is immeasurable. Even during the past few difficult months, her determination never wavered. For more than a decade, she has been a tireless advocate on the national and international stage: at the United Nations, on Capitol Hill, at Autism Speaks Walks nationwide, and in personal letters of support to individuals and families affected by autism. Suzanne sparked a global conversation with one question: How can we help people with autism live their best possible lives? Persuading the world to see the potential in each child and adult on the vast autism spectrum is her greatest legacy. As we look to the future, Autism Speaks remains committed to advancing the important mission she began.”
Suzanne and her husband, Bob Wright, co-founded Autism Speaks in 2005 after their grandson, Christian, was diagnosed with autism.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Autism Speaks or the Lustgarten Foundation, which advances pancreatic cancer research.
