Back for 2002, Brendon Has Yearlong Impact on Stuttering Awareness

Stuttering Foundation of America Newsletter
Summer 2002

As Xander in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, actor Nicholas Brendon has won celebrity status. As Chair of National Stuttering Awareness Week 2001, his starring presence kept SFA's awareness campaign in high gear all year, with public service announcements running in Time, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, People, Cosmo Girl, and others. Now, Nick's back as Chair for NSAW 2002, May 13-20, with a new twist to help others who stutter.

On April 12, fans wished Nick a "Happy Birthday" and benefited the SFA through an eBay auction of items signed by the actor. Check Nick's Web site, www.nickbrendon.com, for future auction dates.

Auction items include copies of the Buffy Season One DVD set; a poster from the recent Buffy musical episode, Once More With Feeling; a Psycho Beach Party movie poster; and the first issue of the recently relaunched official Buffy magazine.

Fans may also donate directly to the Stuttering Foundation in honor of Nick. Last year, Brendon's Web site raised nearly $1,800 for the Stuttering Foundation. This year's goal is to top $2,000.

"Donations of any size are welcome--just a gift of $1 buys a book for a kid who stutters!" notes Nick's Web site. Donations may be made on his site or directly through the Stuttering Foundation.

Pursuing an acting career has played a key role in Nick's overcoming his own stutter. While he still has concerns about stuttering when he performs, Nick's perseverance has helped him make his mark in Hollywood and on the stage.

"Congress authorized National Stuttering Awareness Week because stuttering has a tremendous impact on a wide cross-section of Americans," said Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation. "Most people don't realize that stuttering affects three million people nationwide. We want to make them aware that speech therapy can help them make progress at any age, as it did for Nick."