CHICAGO BULLS CENTER NAZR MOHAMMED HOSTS CHARITY CASINO GALA TO BENEFIT AUTISM RESEARCH

Giving back is a ‘part of life’ for Chicago Bulls center Nazr Mohammed and his family. It is through the Nazr Mohammed Foundation (NMF) that he has been able to support a variety of organizations and causes to which he and wife Mandi personally connect with.

On Friday, August 7, 2015, Mohammed will host ALL IN FOR AUTISM Charity Casino Gala from 7:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. at Galleria Marchetti (825 West Erie Street) in downtown Chicago. The event will feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, gambling, raffle and a silent auction to benefit Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago and the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation.

A Chicago native and 17‐year NBA veteran, Mohammed was a member of the 2005 NBA World Champion San Antonio Spurs, and has also played with the Philadelphia 76er’s, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Bobcats, and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Mohammed is a proud graduate of Kenwood Academy in Hyde Park, and claims this is where he first developed his basketball talent and love for the game. He continued on to college to play at the University of Kentucky winning championships in 1996 and 1998 before becoming a first‐round draft pick in 1998. In 2014, Mohammed was awarded “BULL OF THE YEAR” by the Comcast SportsNet ‘Sports Awards’ for his considerable contributions to his team, as well as the Chicago community.

“Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges,” explains Mohammed. “Without research, advocacy and awareness, the early signs of ASD often go undiagnosed. Even in the case of an early detection, inadequate health insurance coverage and lack of information may preclude necessary treatment…however it does not have to be this way.”

NMF is committed to being a charitable member of the global community by supporting a multitude of worthy causes through personal donations, fundraisers, camps, grants, and scholarships.

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago is a champion for abilities, serving children and adults with autism and the families that love them. Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago maximizes independence and creates opportunities for individuals living with autism to live, learn, work and play in their communities. Paving the way with programs offering guidance and support, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago inspires action and unlocks the potential of each individual served. www.easterseals.com/chicago

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation was founded in 2005 with a noble mission to assist children, individuals, and families as they navigate through the lifelong impact of Autism,. Located in Naperville, Illinois, Turning Pointe is committed to providing resources, services, and real-time solutions to those who need it most. In the last decade, the need for support and opportunities in this special needs population has only grown. Turning Pointe Autism Foundation provides education for our most severely impacted children, prepares higher functioning young adults with autism for career related employment, funds housing and residential services and provides scholarships for impacted families in crisis. www.turningpointeautismfoundation.org.

Tickets for ALL IN FOR AUTSIM are $100 per person for general admission and $150 per person (which includes private reception and reserved seating) and can be purchased at www.NazrMohammed.com.