Mary Zilba and Rosemary Siemens kiss in Yaletown to launch NYC4A Twizzler challenge and boost awareness of autism

The Pacific Autism Family Foundation has recruited some high-profile Vancouverites to highlight its efforts to help parents with autistic children.

Violinist Rosemary Siemens and former Real Housewives of Vancouver star Mary Zilba launched the NYC4A Twizzler challenge to enhance the profile of the charity, which was founded by the Sergio and Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia.

After nibbling away at both ends of a red piece of licorice, Siemens and Zilba's lips smacked together—a moment that has been captured on video and tweeted out with the hashtags #PacificAutism, #NYC4A, and #TwizzlerChallenge.

Even if you don't have any money, you can help the cause by creating your own video.

The first person to take up the challenge from Siemens and Zilba is anything but broke.

Mining magnate Frank Giustra can be seen below doing his own Twizzler challenge. He's nominated Sarah McLachlan, Michael Bublé, and sea and rail transportation tycoon Kyle Washington to do the same.

Meanwhile, the B.C. government has committed $20 million toward the capital cost of a new $33-million Pacific Autism Family Centre.

The foundation is raising funds to offset additional costs. 

In December, there was a ground-breaking ceremony for the centre, which will occupy a 58,000-square-foot building in Richmond.

According to the foundation, one in 88 children has symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, which ordinarly appear before a child reaches the age of three.

B.C. has become a centre for research in this area, but there are still long waiting lists for a diagnosis.