Autism Activists, Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey Promote "Green Our Vaccines" on the Oprah Winfrey Show and at a Rally in Washington D.C

Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey are on a mission to spread awareness about the rise in autism.

The former play-mate bunny, and her partner, funny-man, Carrey are dedicated to helping families and children dealing with autism. McCarthy became an advocate for curing autism after her son; Evan was diagnosed with the disorder. Since dating McCarthy, Carrey has also become an advocate.

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that usually lasts throughout a person's lifetime. Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism. making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic and social groups. It is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors... Symptoms can be mild to very severe.

Many parents believe that their child was fine until receiving childhood shots and vaccines and that autism developed as a result of toxins in the vaccines .They want more regulations in the contents and number of mandatory shots most babies receive.

In 1960 children in the U.S. received 5 vaccinations. By 2007 the number has reached 24 vaccines to protect against 16 different diseases. That's a lot of chemicals being injected into tiny bodies. The Green Our Vaccines project calls for the elimination of toxins from children's vaccines and to change children's vaccination schedules.

Although specific studies have not shown a specific link between autism and vaccines many parents are firm that there is a connection. They want national health agencies to reassess the mandatory vaccine schedule.

Overall, the thought is there are too many vaccinations too soon. They want Congress to eliminate mercury and other toxins from the vaccines.