Jenny McCarthy Honored For Efforts Towards Autism

Access Hollywood - February 3, 2008 2:37 PM PST

Amid all the Super Bowl madness that has taken over the greater Phoenix area this week, some of the stars got together over the weekend to bring attention to a wonderful cause.

Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete hosted the 2008 Gridiron Glamour event, a celebrity fashion show/benefit auction designed to raise money for autism research.

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Benefiting the Peete's HollyRod Foundation, along with the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SAARC), stars including Laila Ali, Gabrielle Union, Nicole Murphy, Gena Lee Nolin and Regina King were all ready to put their best foot forward on the runway to help the cause.

"The only way we're able to do these things is with the support of our friends. It's a real blessing for us," Holly told AccessHollywood.com, explaining how grateful she was of the celebrity support she and Rodney have received in their efforts.

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And in turn, their friends are equally happy to lend a hand.

"I couldn't be happier to give my time," Gena Lee Nolin said.

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Not to be outdone by the ladies, the men were also ready to hit the runway, with Rodney (a former NFL star) calling on several of his athlete counterparts, including pro football stars Kurt Warner, Braylon Edwards and baseball players Brandon Webb and Luis Gonzalez.

In addition to the runway show, the event also honored the achievements of several individuals for their efforts to raise autism awareness, with Jenny McCarthy the recipient of the 2008 Trailblazer Award.

[ Super Bowl XLII: DirectTV Celebrity Beach Bowl, Hosted By Maria Menounos - Watch the Video ]

Holly talked about what it meant to recognize her good friend Jenny, who like Holly and Rodney, also has an autistic child.

"Someone called us the 'Thelma & Louise' of autism," Holly joked of her work with Jenny. "From the moment she called me and we talked about her son, we made a game plan and said no one else is talking about this. We know there are celebrities in Hollywood who have autistic children, so we felt it was important to talk about it."

"We wanted to honor Jenny today because we think she is a pioneer. She's brought more attention with her book and her candor. She says it like it is and that's what is so special about her. We are honored to honor her," Holly added.

When it came to walking the runway, the stars were eager and ready to strut their stuff.

"I don't know if I'll be any good at it, but I'll rock what I've got," NASCAR driver Danica Patrick smiled.

"I'm just hoping not to fall," Gabrielle Union joked.

And despite the light nature of the event, all the stars were well aware of the serious nature of the cause.

"I love children. I'm a mom and I have friends who have autistic children. I've seen just how much research has helped over the years and how a child's upbringing can be made so much better over the last 20-plus years, so just imagine what more research and more support can do," Regina King told AccessHollywood.com.

For Regina, whose mother has worked with mentally and physically handicapped children for over 15 years, it was a pleasure to help her dear friends.

"Holly and Rodney are so respected. We all want to support them in everything they do. You can see the results, and that's what's important. You feel like you're a part of something and you can see it working," she concluded.

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comments 1-10 of 39  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • thunder
    I am glad that Jenny's celeb status is getting autisim awarness but in the few months that her son was diagnoised with autisim she becomes a spokes person and wrote a book abt dealing with autisim. i have been battling autisim a whole lot longer and I can a book hmmm money means lot in the autisim world, instead of being at a super bowl party spend time with her son like the rest of us r
    report abuseposted March 17, 2008 7:52 AM PDT
  • REBECCA P
    AS A MOM WITH A SIX YOUR OLD SON WHO HAS AUTISM, I AGREE THAT AUTISM NEEDS MORE PRESS!! ITS SO SAD THAT ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE KIDS ARE NOT AWARE OF WHATS OUT THERE, AND IT IS HARD TO BE HEARD IF YOU'RE NOT A CELEB! SO CONGRATS JENNY FOR SPEAKING FOR US!!! PEOPLE MAY NOT LISTEN TO US, BUT HOPEFULLY SOMEDAY WE ALL CAN LIVE A LIFE OF PEOPLE WHO WILL STOP BEING SO IGNORANT WHEN IT COMES T
    report abuseposted March 16, 2008 9:36 PM PDT
  • a mom
    until another celeb couple has a child with Autism--this will not get the attention it needs...It now outnumbers childhood Cancers, Diabetes and AIDS combined!!! Brad and Angelina or Jay lo--beware! It strikes one of every 150 kids born today. NO KNOWN CURE
    report abuseposted February 24, 2008 2:04 PM PST
  • Lady lover
    I also agree why dosen't these thing get more press. There may alot of people like me who are dealing with a Autisc young person. and the other thing is their right that the younger brother and sisters are going to have help my son so that people don't hurt him. he has one older brother. So when i past on they all are going to have to help him.thanks for reading my comments
    report abuseposted February 20, 2008 10:08 PM PST
  • Lady lover
    I think that it is wonderful that actor and actress help people with Autim. I have a eighteen year old son with autim. He is good young man.
    report abuseposted February 20, 2008 9:53 PM PST
  • 1FineDay59
    OMG!! Just went back an read older comments. Wanted to see how many comments related to subject. Thank You Jenny an all that understand!!We(my family) are not part of a support group, maybe we should be! Anyone wish to chat? yoha@dayoungkin I hope we all can rally together an maybe place these comments on a page that will reach others! Only people like Jenny an ourselves can make this an issue!!!
    report abuseposted February 6, 2008 7:45 AM PST
  • 1FineDay59
    armarmom, I Feel and Understand your Families Concerns!!! This is the fear I have for when all our children are grown. I say GO Jenny,Do you need Help? This is not going to go away! Look at the treatment of past disorders,Locked away an treated so poorly! MOTHERS/GRANDMOTHERS SHOULD JOIN HER AND OTHERS LIKE DAN MARINO & HIS WIFE TO ENSURE THEY ARE TREATED FAIRLY W/THEROPY,DEVELOPE SK
    report abuseposted February 6, 2008 7:27 AM PST
  • Cindy B
    My middle son was diagnosed with autism at 15. Before that, he was labled as ADHD or simply "difficult". I have come to the realization that he will need help for the rest of his life so that no one takes advantage of him. My family made a plan. Once I'm gone, his sisters and brothers are taking responsibility for him. I'm just beyond angry that it took 15 ye
    report abuseposted February 5, 2008 12:55 PM PST
  • sickofit
    keisha-I despise the way you referred to Heidi/Brit as "retards". As a mom of a special needs daughter I hate how people call other people that word. How come we live in such a politically correct society and the word "retarded" is used constantly and people find nothing wrong with it?
    report abuseposted February 5, 2008 10:20 AM PST
  • keisha k
    i think she's great and i commend her fighting for a good cause for her son and other kids who struggle 'cause no one seems to care. They care about retards like heidi and brit, they can all burn!
    report abuseposted February 5, 2008 8:36 AM PST
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