Jenny McCarthy to represent autism group

Talk About Curing Autism, a Newport Beach-based organization helping families with children affected by autism, has announced that actor Jenny McCarthy will be its new spokeswoman.

McCarthy, whose son Evan was diagnosed with autism in 2005, is the author of the book “Louder than Words — A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism,” set to be released in September.

McCarthy will be involved with the group’s fundraiser “Ante Up for Autism” in October. She will participate in live online chats via the group’s website and will post her own ongoing blog once the book has been published.

Lisa Ackerman, founder and director of Talk About Curing Autism, said her organization is blessed to have “such an outspoken friend” in McCarthy, and that “her story, her son’s journey with autism, and her efforts to advocate and reach out to help families affected by autism should be commended.”

For more information, call Talk About Curing Autism at (949) 640-4401 or go to www.tacanow.org.

— Sue Thoensen