Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 2 is the first World Autism Awareness Day. Falling in what has become Autism Awareness Month, this day was declared by the United Nations last November as an annual day to “encourage Member States to take measures to raise awareness about children with autism throughout society.”

It’s estimated that 35 million people worldwide have autism and face discrimination and an extreme lack of resources. CNN will devote unprecedented coverage to autism tomorrow throughout the entire day on CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN en Español and Headline News, as well as their website.

The reports will cover medical insights, information on treatments and interventions and interviews with families and professionals who work with children who have autism.

Paging Dr. Gupta is CNN’s blog by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent. Several of the blog entries now and in the coming weeks will cover autism topics and ask readers for their feedback.

And because April has been designated National Autism Month, there are thousands of events and activities bringing awareness to autism; to the need for more research, resources and interventions for autism; and to the plight of children and families living with autism. Many of these events involve Autism Speaks, the 3-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to research of biomedical causes, preventions and treatments of autism.

Numerous businesses and corporations are involved in Autism Awareness activities throughout April, and the entire year.

Toys R Us is collecting monetary donations in its stores as well as sponsoring 75 walks throughout the United States this year. Here’s a schedule of the walks.

Chevrolet is sponsoring a virtual test drive of its Malibu, which will generate up to $1 million for Autism Speaks, by participants doing the virtual test drive located on the Autism Speaks website.

TJ Maxx is also collecting $1 donations in their stores this month, and placing puzzle pieces around their checkouts for every $1 donated.

Barnes & Noble will hold special autism storytimes at 500 of their stores this month, to raise awareness about autism. Check out their website to locate a store near you.

The Bachman Company has designed puzzle pretzels that are available throughout the Northeast United States or from their website.

Build-A-Bear Workshop is teaming up with Autism Speaks for a special purple heart that can be added to bears made this month in commemoration of Autism Awareness. Build-A-Bear will donate $1 for each heart sold and have information in their stores about autism.

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