NBC'S 'HEROES' CAST MEMBERS, 'BAND FROM TV' AND THE SHOW'S MUSIC COMPOSERS SUPPORT AUTISM SPEAKS CHARITY AT THE FIRST HEROES FOR AUTISM EVENT ON APRIL 19 AT THE AVALON HOLLYWOOD

"Heroes" Greg Grunberg and Adrian Pasdar Join James Denton, Jesse Spencer and Bob Guiney to Be Among Those Helping Raise Autism Awareness and Funds for Research

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. - March 26, 2009 - Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, announced it has teamed up with the cast from NBC's hit show "Heroes," the celebrity band "Band From TV," and Wendy and Lisa, who compose the music for the series, to increase autism awareness and help raise funds for autism research at the first ever "Heroes for Autism" fundraiser. The one-night only, star-studded concert event will be held Sunday, April 19 at 5 p.m. at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles.

"Heroes for Autism" will kick off with a VIP cocktail reception and silent auction featuring artwork designed and created by cast and crew members of "Heroes." Guests will also enjoy a concert performance by the "Band From TV," featuring Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, James Denton, Jesse Spencer, and Bob Guiney (www.bandfromtv.org) and a special performance by Wendy and Lisa, with an all-star band and surprise guests to headline the evening (www.wendyandlisa.com). Wendy and Lisa will perform their music from the series, as well as music from their newly released CD, "White Flags of Winter Chimneys."

"Heroes for Autism" is produced in part by event and marketing firm, Brand Consulting and design firm Haus. To purchase tickets or for more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, interested parties can contact Emma Petievich at 323/297-4757 [email protected]. All proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks. For more information about the event, visit: www.autismspeaks.org/sponsoredevents or www.heroesforautism.com.

About Autism:

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism has increased ten fold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

About Autism Speaks:

Autism Speaks is the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks funds more than $30 million each year in new autism research, in addition to supporting the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, Clinical Trials Network, Autism Tissue Program and a range of other scientific and medical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning, multi-year national public service advertising campaign with the Ad Council. Autism Speaks' family services efforts include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and the distribution of community grants to local service providers. Its government relations division has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the federal government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to require insurers to cover medically-necessary autism therapies. Each year, Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism fundraising events are held in more than 70 cities across the country, as well as Canada and the United Kingdom.

Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism, and provides a voice to hundreds of thousands of families. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About "Heroes":

From creator/writer Tim Kring ("Crossing Jordan"), the epic drama chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. "Heroes" continues its third season with a brand-new volume -- "Fugitives." In the latest installment, the Heroes are the targets of a government conspiracy to capture those with abilities, led by one of their own.

"Heroes'" worldwide, multi-platform success is currently licensed to more than 200 territories. The show has received numerous accolades, including the 2009 People's Choice Award for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy show and a SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series. Among its honors in past seasons, "Heroes" has received a People's Choice Award, an AFI Award, a Multicultural Prism Award, a TV Land Future Classic Award, the Television Critics Association Awards' Outstanding Program of the Year, the International Prize at the BAFTA Television Awards, and Choice TV Show Action Adventure at the Teen Choice Awards. Winning its time period in season averages among men 18-34 and men 18-49, "Heroes" is also the third highest time-shifted program on all of the major networks, and this helps attract nearly three million additional viewers each week. The franchise represents NBC Universal International Home Video's biggest-selling television franchise, ranks among the top two series in full episode streaming on NBC.com, stands among the Top 10 best-selling titles on iTunes and is a top-selling franchise across other digital platforms, including Xbox, Zune and Amazon.