Mogul Sumner M. Redstone has stepped up again for a favorite charity. This week he donated a whopping $500,000 to Autism Speaks, bringing his grand total commitment to the autism science and advocacy organization to $1.7 million.
The cash will go to the Translational Research Initiative, an effort to speed the discovery of treatments.
“I’m pleased to continue my support of the groundbreaking work being done by Autism Speaks,” Redstone said. “My hope is that this leadership gift will inspire others to join me in support of the translational research initiative, which is enormously important and has the potential to provide solutions to families affected by autism.”
Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright, the grandparents of an autistic child, added, “Our families share his understanding of the importance of scientific research, and a desire to see some of that research translate into real world results that can help them now.”
Redstone, who is the Executive Chairman of Viacom Inc. and CBS Corporation, and Chairman and CEO of National Amusements Inc., has devoted more than $100 million to philanthropic causes in recent years, including medical research on behalf of cancer, burn recovery and mental health. Until we make hundreds of millions of dollars, it’s always nice to hear of someone who has it spending it the right way.
Photo via PR Photos.