30 years ago my son was born at 23 weeks gestation, weighing only 1 pound 6 oz. Just married 2 years, Julius and I entered into a world of surgeries, hospitalizations, and the terrifying task of parenting a critical care baby. A grade 3 brain bleed, hydrocephalus, life support, code blue, "come to the NICU now, your baby has sepsis". Clergy talk of a little white box and graveside prayers. Doctors' grim prognosis. Bad odds against survival and most certainly quality of life. Probable blindness, deafness. Years of Pediatric ICU admissions.
8 months after birth, we brought Nathaniel home with a Tracheostomy, tubes, oxygen tanks, alarms, 8-hr/day in-home nurses. Early intervention, selfless community support, and many, many miracles.
Then a LIFE Changer. As a young adult Nathaniel was diagnosed with a disorder in the autism spectrum. Dreams of operating a car, living independently, marriage, and a family - all came true! Today Nathaniel and his wife have 2 beautiful baby girls. Together we still face tough challenges, but every year amazing milestones are celebrated!
This year I'll do 8 races in 8 months. From Chicago to London, I will paddle, bike, run, and orienteer - culminating with the 2018 London Marathon to honor my son Nathaniel. I LOVE what OAR does in Applied research – scientific studies that test theories, treatments, and assumptions - practical answers to the everyday challenges of living with autism – focused programs like “Autism in the School House” and Hire Autism initiatives in support of education and employment. Their ultimate focus is quality of life.
· $10 - a Curriculum in a Box to general education teachers.
· $25 - 15 copies of A Guide to Safety to families and first responders.
· $100 - the Kit for Kids peer education resource to an entire elementary or middle school.
· $150 - 100 copies of a Life Journey through Autism guidebook for a support group or military installation.
· $1,000 - a research grant for a graduate student studying autism.
· $3,000 - a college scholarship for a student with autism
Thank YOU so much for supporting research for autism. Every single penny is appreciated. From the bottom of my heart, for the parents and grandparents of young adults living with autism - I thank you.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| ge | 09/24/2018 | $100.00 | Alicia Kavanaugh | 04/25/2018 | $50.00 | Trisha Slater | 04/25/2018 | $100.00 | Laura Rot | 04/25/2018 | $30.00 | Pamela Champlin | 04/25/2018 | $20.00 | Calvin Wong Loi Sing | 04/22/2018 | $25.00 | Anna Family | 04/22/2018 | $400.00 | Running towards the prize....... | Bronson & Betty Gibertini | 04/20/2018 | $25.00 | Kim Chaput | 04/19/2018 | $50.00 | Praying for a awesome marathon April ! U are a gorgeous women inside and out !! Keep smiling n take it all in : ) xoxo | Chick and Sally Gerber | 04/18/2018 | $100.00 | Praying for you April. Run well!!! <3 | David & Sharon Ledbetter | 04/18/2018 | $25.00 | My mother always had such and fondness and love for Nathaniel and she was a tireless prayer warrior for him. She would often share with me her concerns for challenges he faced and we would pray together for him. She would also rejoice in his victories and we would both praise God and marvel at seeing all the miralces he has done in Nathaniel's life. I continue to be inspired by witnessing all God has done and continues to do for Nathaniel. He will always be lifted up in my prayers as well as you, Dr. J and your family. Godspeed my friend! | CAROL ALLISS | 04/18/2018 | $50.00 | Janis Runyan | 04/17/2018 | $10.00 | Have fun Awesome April! | Anonymous Friend | 04/17/2018 | $30.00 | You are such an inspiration to me. You al aye have a smile on your face. I hope to be as strong as you. | Laura Kircher | 04/17/2018 | $50.00 | Praying for safe travels and an awesome marathon. Enjoy the adventure. Thanks for supporting autism awareness and research and for sharing your story! | Rick Terry Pagano | 04/15/2018 | $50.00 | God bless and Good Luck in your race | Paul & Lori Coverick | 04/13/2018 | $100.00 | Happy birthday to you both! Our prayer is that God keeps you safe as you run the race to gain a quality life for those affected by Autism. RUN APRIL RUUUN!!!! | Mark Leahy | 04/13/2018 | $50.00 | Happy Birthday, April and Julius! Mark & Chris | Melissa Meyers | 04/13/2018 | $50.00 | ❤️ | Anne & Rocco Catrone | 04/13/2018 | $50.00 | Happy birthday! Good luck with the marathon! | Colleen Abudayyeh | 04/08/2018 | $50.00 | Bless you April for what you doing. I admire your dedication! | Holly Williams | 04/06/2018 | $50.00 | So proud of you April! | Linda Devito | 04/05/2018 | $50.00 | Randall Thomure | 04/03/2018 | $100.00 | Run strong my friend | David Lehr | 04/03/2018 | $500.00 | Emily Fuder | 04/03/2018 | $100.00 | Happy Birthday, Mom!! I know you can hit this goal!! | Joyce Przybylski | 04/02/2018 | $30.00 | Good Luck April! Proud of you <3 | Debrah Nicely | 04/02/2018 | $100.00 | Good Luck your going to do great! | Lynn Starr | 04/02/2018 | $20.00 | Kate Pawela | 03/21/2018 | $100.00 | Good Luck April! - Kate & Mike | L Quan | 03/17/2018 | $100.00 | You are a blessing and and an inspiration to all women! You take them by storm and you stand as a light! "Break a leg" (not literally) | Primitivo Robles | 03/12/2018 | $100.00 | You rock! Praying with you has been a privilege. | Michelle Yohler | 02/28/2018 | $20.00 | Jimmy Lee | 02/13/2018 | $150.00 | The Goodcity family is supporting you! | Laurie Rogers | 02/10/2018 | $100.00 | April you run with your heart. Thanks for all you are doing. | Bryan Richard | 02/07/2018 | $150.00 | Cheryl Hoover | 02/07/2018 | $25.00 | Best of luck. Have a blast!! | Annie Cairo | 02/07/2018 | $25.00 | Sharry Whitney | 01/19/2018 | $100.00 | Love seeing your family grow and your adventures! You are an inspiration! You go! | National Christian Foundation | 01/16/2018 | $100.00 | Julie Haberichter | 01/08/2018 | $100.00 | Thank you, April, for all you are doing for this fabulous cause! xoxo | Susan Danforth | 01/07/2018 | $20.00 | So proud to be your friend, April! | Carol McMorrow | 01/05/2018 | $50.00 | Good luck with all your races. And for the caring you lovingly give to others! Your are unstoppable! | Ryan Weaver | 01/04/2018 | $100.00 | Here's to 8 runs in 2018! | Karen Hulbert | 01/04/2018 | $50.00 | I love what you are doing April!!! | Mary Farrell | 01/04/2018 | $25.00 | Love you, my friend. You are one amazing woman! | Gale Roberson | 01/02/2018 | $200.00 | Go Girl!! What a way to show love and support for your son and others with autism. | Rene Alvarado | 01/01/2018 | $100.00 | Donna & Bill Platt | 01/01/2018 | $100.00 | Enjoy London! | Kent & Danelle Sowatzke | 12/30/2017 | $100.00 | Go get 'em, April! You are a blessing to many! Thank you for including us on your journey. | Beth and Dave Berry | 12/30/2017 | $150.00 | Thanks for all your work to support this community! You know it well, and have seen miracles. Run well, friend. | Andy and Kathy Pflederer | 12/30/2017 | $100.00 | Go April! You've been such an inspiration as we've watched your commitment to fitness develop over the years! Thanks for running with purpose, too. | Dalia Cepele | 12/30/2017 | $200.00 | April - you inspire me ! I am so blessed to have the opportunity to care for you and your family. Such a Great family. Best wishes as you race for your cause. | Linda Petty | 12/30/2017 | $25.00 | Many blessing April, keeping fit, healthy and safe during your marathons. Much Love | Tony & Kim Bartolomucci | 12/29/2017 | $300.00 | Nathaniel is a living miracle, a Christ follower, loyal husband, loving father, treasured son, caring brother, diligent worker, a gentleman, NFL maniac and my valued friend. He is an inspiration to run 8 races in 8 months to better our world. God continues his miraculous work. Go April! | Jerry and Sue Guzaitis | 12/29/2017 | $25.00 | Sue Ficek | 12/29/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck in London!! So very proud of your efforts in helping this cause. | Robert Hurd | 12/27/2017 | $100.00 | Doug and Karla Keehn | 12/27/2017 | $25.00 | You are a difference maker, April! We will be rooting for you every step. | Rita Zajac | 12/27/2017 | $50.00 | Thanking God for you! | Sarah Bechtel | 12/27/2017 | $100.00 | Thank you for your fundraising efforts! Prayers and hugs for this journey! | Afkenel Schipstra | 12/27/2017 | $50.00 | For a very special family! Good luck April, you are the best! | Tom Newton | 12/27/2017 | $100.00 | LINDA MCINNES | 12/27/2017 | $50.00 | In Honor if Nathaniel Wong Loi Sing and my friendship with April and Julius Wong Loi Sing | Barb & Jim Stellwagen | 12/27/2017 | $100.00 | Merry Christmas | CHRISTA ROEH | 12/27/2017 | $50.00 | You are an inspiration!! | Tim Hurd | 12/27/2017 | $101.00 | I love you $1 more than Bob. | George Curtin | 12/27/2017 | $50.00 | Zachary Wong Loi Sing | 12/26/2017 | $100.00 | Merry Christmas! We love you :) | April Wong Loi Sing | 12/22/2017 | $114.00 | To help families like Henry's, I run for autism research! | Renate Weber | 12/22/2017 | $50.00 | Best of luck in London and thanks for fundraising for such a great cause. | Diane Sramek | 12/11/2017 | $50.00 | Bryan Richard | 11/30/2017 | $50.00 | Lori and Paul Coverick | 11/29/2017 | $50.00 | Kelly Foss | 11/28/2017 | $200.00 | Go, April, go! So proud of and inspired by you. Much love. | Anonymous Friend | 11/28/2017 | $200.00 | Jackie Sullivan | 11/28/2017 | $30.00 | This is proof that determination and love can defy all odds. God bless your beautiful family April, thank you for sharing your amazing story. | TRACY ROSENSTIEHL | 11/28/2017 | $100.00 | ALL the BEST, April, in your campaign to support the mission of OAR and to fulfill a dream to run London! | Amanda Taylor | 11/28/2017 | $40.00 | Louise Kasprzyk | 11/27/2017 | $50.00 | Hi April, You inspire us all! All the best, Rich Kasprzyk & Louise O'Connor | Bradley Price | 11/08/2017 | $50.00 | Stan & Debbie Rea | 11/04/2017 | $100.00 | We're praying for and cheering you on in this amazing adventure! We love the cause you're supporting, too, as we have quite a few friends dealing with autism in their families--such a need! | Steve Sierra | 11/03/2017 | $25.00 | Brieanna Arteaga | 11/02/2017 | $30.00 | Enjoy your journey, my friend! | Ashley Ryan | 11/02/2017 | $30.00 | What a great cause-Best of luck April! | Carrie and Mitch Koch | 11/02/2017 | $250.00 | We love you and your big, beautiful heart. What a wonderful adventure God has you all on! | Dan Doyle | 10/31/2017 | $30.00 | You are such an inspiration. | Laree Carlson | 10/31/2017 | $150.00 | You are such a blessing and inspiration. I am so thankful for the time we have shared. :) | Anonymous Friend | 10/25/2017 | $250.00 | Dawn Spiegelberg | 10/08/2017 | $125.00 | Love, love, love. | K and W Hiyama | 10/06/2017 | $50.00 | You go, girl!!! | Dan & Joanne Hurd | 09/30/2017 | $100.00 | Your strength and commitment inspire us, your goal humbles us, and your faith reminds us that, with God, all things are indeed possible! | Anonymous Friend | 09/28/2017 | $10.00 | Wonderful cause. I will be rooting for you! | Julie Belka | 09/25/2017 | $40.00 | A mission near and dear to my heart! Best of luck to you, my friend! | Chris Farrell | 09/24/2017 | $25.00 | Go get it April! | Kris McManus | 09/24/2017 | $25.00 | Fernando Flores | 09/24/2017 | $25.00 | Eduardo Reyes | 09/23/2017 | $50.00 | Go get it! Proud of you, Buddy! | April Wong Loi Sing | 06/04/2017 | $50.00 |
| Total | $8,255.00 | ||