Jenny McCarthy, Toni Braxton, Bill Cosby and other stars want you to know that today is Autism Awareness Day. You may not know that because it’s the first one ever. Toni Braxton, whose son has autism, is a spokeswoman for Autism Speaks and is helping raise awareness about autism. The 6-time Grammy Award winner feels “privileged to have the opportunity to help advance this cause in any way I possibly can.” Jenny McCarthy, and Robert Smigel of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog fame, also each have Autistic sons and are active in organizing around the issue. And Lionel Richie, Matthew Broderick and Bill Cosby fundraise for the cause.

And on April 13th, Jon Stewart will host the “Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education” in New York City. The show will air live on Comedy Central at 8pm and and will feature standup routines, sketches and short films from Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Steve Carell, Jonah Hill, Tina Fey, Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert, Sarah Silverman, Amy Poehler, Matthew Broderick, Jonah Hill, Kevin James, Rosie O’Donnell and Susie Essman. But what is autism? The Autism Speaks Website explains

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Autism Spectrum Disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

But most insurance companies don’t cover Autism related treatment! The parents of Ryan Unumb decided to take action for fairness and used their law degrees to pass a “Ryan’s Law” requiring insurance companies to cover Autism. Thanks to these brave parents, insurance companies in their home state, South Carolina, now cover Autism. Watch the video about Ryan’s parents Lorri and Dan Unumb, which, I promise, will inspire you to take action just like they did. So by supporting a bill which would require insurance companies to cover autism related to treatment in other states. And by visiting Autism Speaks.