April is Autism Awareness Month, a worldwide opportunity to encourage autism awareness and draw attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis each year. Here in Boston, the month kicks off with MassGeneral Hospital for Children's Aspire Spring Gala on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

Boston's Tim Sweeney is again co-chairing the 18th annual event, which hopes to raise more than $2 million to support Aspire, a highly successful, therapeutically-based program of the Lurie Center for Autism.

This year's theme, "Light Up! Inspiring Knowledge + Illuminating Confidence," sheds light on living with autism. Longtime partner Rafanelli Events will bring the theme to life with a lightbulb lounge, where guests will experience "a-ha moments" about life on the autism spectrum through an interactive lighting installation.

Around 800 guests are expected to attend April's cocktail reception at Four Seasons Hotel Boston. Guests will enjoy dinner-by-the-bite and a luxury key game offering one-of-a-kind prize packages that include tickets to see Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran at Gillette Stadium and a VIP experience at the 2018 MLB All-Star game.

Aspire helps children, teens and adults with high cognitive autism spectrum disorder or a related social profile develop the skills necessary to live full, independent lives. Programs include a summer camp for children, an excursions and explorations group for teens and a young adult internship program. Aspire also consults area schools and conducts professional development workshops that train professionals and parents on meeting the complex needs of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder.

Visit www.aspiregala.com to learn more.