I am so excited to have the opportunity to pair two things I am most passionate about:

Running and Autism! 

The Plan:

On October 27th, I will set off on a 31 mile journey to become an Ultra Marathoner. This is a goal I have had for a couple years but I've been intimidated to commit.

I’ve decided to support the Organization of Autism Research during my training by fundraising to support the autism community.  

Running has been my own personal therapy as I learn to manage the stress and unknowns of being a parent of a child on the autism spectrum. 

Autism is one of the fastest growing developmental disorders in the United States. Our son Lawrence was diagnosed shortly before his second birthday.

There are currently 3.5 million people living with Autism in the United States and 75 million around the world. I’ve decided to raise money through OAR to help support further research, deliver support services to families and help fund educational and intervention services. 

How will your donation help OAR? 

• $10 provides a Curriculum in a Box professional development kit provided to regular education teachers. 
• $15 provides A Guide to Safety to families and first responders. 
• $100 provides the Kit for Kids peer education resource to an entire elementary or middle school. 
• $150 provides 100 copies of Life Journey through Autism sent to a community resource group or military installation. 
• $1,000 provides a research grant to a student studying Autism.
•  $3,000 provides a college scholarship to an individual with Autism. 
• $30,000 fully funds a research pilot study. 

OAR Results:

• Funded more than $3.6 million for new autism research: 98 grants/$3,345,000 for pilot studies and $191,660 in grants to 105 graduates
• Awarded $476,000 in scholarships to 156 persons with autism attending college or vocational-technical schools after high school
• Published eight guides in the Life Journey through Autism series
• Created Operation Autism, a website that provides military families impacted by autism with information 24/7
• Created and delivered three new resources related to siblings of individuals with autism, one for parents, one for teen siblings, and a fun workbook for younger siblings.
• Created Hire Autism, a unique jobs portal that allows adults with autism to meet prospective employers in an autism-friendly online meeting space

I know that each mile will symbolize another step on the road to a better quality of life for those affected by autism. With your help, I will raise the money needed to fund essential research and invaluable resources for autistic kids and their families.

Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference. To find out more about the Organization for Autism Research, please visit the Web site www.researchautism.org.

I truly appreciate your kindness and willingness to help, and again, thank you for your generosity... We CAN make a difference!

Amber