In Memory of Liz Birt

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Liz Birt. She was a founder of Extreme Sports Camp. She will be greatly missed.

Ms. Birt was a healthcare attorney with twelve years of corporate and regulatory experience. Prior to graduation from De Paul University in 1992, she worked in the insurance industry focusing on self funded employer health reinsurance and group health insurance. Liz obtained a Certified Life Underwriter designation in 1989 and an L.L.M. in Taxation from DePaul University Law School in 2000. In 2002-2003, Liz served as a Staff Attorney for the Committee on Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, conducting research and investigation into health care issues. Liz provided legal and business advice for Extreme Sports Camp. She was the parent of a child with autism, has founded several non-profit autism organizations, and was a frequent speaker at autism symposiums.

Autism Projects in Her Memory

Liz dedicated a large part of her life to expanding services, treatments, and research for people with autism. The list below is comprised of projects in which Liz had a special interest and which reflect her priorities in the field of autism. All donations are being made to 501 c 3 non-profit organizations and are fully tax deductible. 100% of all donations will be applied to the described programs.

Camp Scholarships, Extreme Sports Camp

Liz was a co-founder and board member of Extreme Sports Camp, and she volunteered as a counselor.

Donations would support the camp’s scholarship program, which ensures that any child can attend camp regardless of need. Donations can be sent to:

Extreme Sports Camp, Inc.
P. O. Box 10729
Aspen, CO 81612

Truth & Love Fund, Thoughtful House

See: www.thoughtfulhouse.org

Helping Hand Program, National Autism Association

See: www.nationalautismassociation.org/helpinghand.php

Liz Birt “Go for the Gold” Mouse Model, SafeMinds

See: www.safeminds.org

Investigation of GI Disorder in Autism, Steve Walker, PhD

Liz strongly believed that there was a link between onset of gastrointestinal problems and her son Matthew’s regression into autism. Liz actively raised funds for research on this issue, and the involvement of GI disorder in autism is now acknowledged among clinicians.

An important study on GI disorder and autism which Liz supported is being conducted by Steve Walker of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem. Dr. Walker is examining intestinal tissue samples of 300 children who presented with regressive autism and chronic GI symptoms, to correlate viral gene expression with clinical outcomes. This research has implications for medical treatment as well as identifying factors contributing to autism.

Donations for this research would allow Dr. Walker to complete his analysis of all 300 children for which he has medical histories and biopsies. Questions about this research can be directed to Laura Bono of the National Autism Association, which is collecting funds for this effort. The phone number is 877-622-2884.

Donations should be designated for “Steve Walker GI-Autism Research” and should be sent to:

National Autism Association
P.O. Box 347
Portsmouth, RI 02871

Pro-Bono Legal Services

See: www.a-champ.org

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