Salt Lake City, Utah – The Utah Jazz and Vivint Smart Home Arena are hosting a special Autism Awareness Night on Wednesday, March 27. The cause is close to the team and organization’s heart after forward Joe Ingles’ son, Jacob, was recently diagnosed with autism.

“Jacob’s brought so much joy and light to our lives, and it’s our hope to share that with families who may be going through the same process now”

Fans are invited to attend the game against the LA Lakers where there will be multiple options to donate to a fund that provides therapy, sensory spaces and inclusive community programs for people with autism.

Last season, the Jazz and Vivint added a sensory room. The space is for meant to provide a safe space for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.

MORE:

The Game and The Cause

Vivint Gives Back, the Utah Jazz and the Ingles family are committed to donating $1.2 million in support of autism awareness in 2019, according to a press release from the organization.

One way to donate is to purchase Vivint’s item of the night, a special Autism Awareness shirt from the team store. If you can’t make it to the game but would still like to donate, Chip Cookies has a “blue box” for autism awareness that is available to purchase in the stadium or at all of their locations.

Utah Jazz Autism Awareness T-Shirt (Photo courtesy of the Utah Jazz)

You can text JAZZDONATE to 44-321 to receive more information about making a contribution.

Every person who attends the game will get a blue rally towel that reads, “Let’s talk about autism.” Fans are encouraged to wave the towel during the moments of celebration of the autism community planned during the game. Fans can post pictures on social media to raise awareness using #LetsTalkAboutAutism.

Close To Home

Ingles, his wife Renae and Jacob plan to use this special night at Vivint Smart Home Arena to help educate families about early detection of autism spectrum disorders.

“When we looked into it, we realized there was a lack of understanding about early detection and how much that can make an impact in a child’s life,” said Joe Ingles in a press release from the team.

“The earlier you find out, the more you can set your child up to have the best life they can have. Jacob’s brought so much joy and light to our lives, and it’s our hope to share that with families who may be going through the same process now.”

In February, Ingles took to Twitter to share his son’s diagnoses with fans and followers.

Renae and I share with the world Jacob’s diagnosis with autism and where to from here for our family. Head to @exclusiveinsight to read our story, or head to the link below!https://t.co/2WOZXM3vQm pic.twitter.com/UlKKtYyj1o — Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) February 13, 2019

“Jacob is still our Jacob, always has been, always will be,” read an image the tweet.

Jacob and his twin sister Mila were born in 2016.

You can read the letter that Ingles and his wife penned about their sons’ diagnosis here.