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This year event takes place at a new venue and includes even more guest celebrities

Try your hand for a good cause with top poker players, athletes and celebrities this Saturday night to help raise funds for Talk About Curing Autism. The 6th annual Ante Up for Autism event will take place at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel.

The Orange County-based nonprofit Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) was started in 2000 by Lisa Ackerman to help other families with children who are diagnosed with autism. Resources are made available through the website to help families get through the diagnose, joining a support group and learning more about treatments and diets.

Pat and Stephanie Mcllvain, whose son Dylan was diagnosed with autism when he was just a little over 1-years-old, help create the Ante Up for Autism event to give back what TACA’s given them. Stephanie coordinates the event and Pat has served on TACA’s board for five years. The San Clemente family was dealt a tough hand to play, but because of TACA and its support they were better equipped to help their son Dylan, who is now almost 13 years old, attends a school where his special needs are met, in San Marcos.

“TACA helped put us in the right direction and gave us hope. It was instrumental in keeping our family together,” said Pat Mcllvain.

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in March, 14 U.S. study sites in 2008 found that one in 88, 8-year-olds had a developmental disorder, which affects social, communication, motor and language skills. Compared to the same study done in 2006, the results were 23 percent higher. The disease is becoming more widespread and more families are dealing with a more difficult hand.

To find out how you can join the table, click here.