TL;DR. I am running the London Marathon in honor of my nephew, Zaid who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. I am dedicating my miles to raise funds for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR). Will you please help me reach my goal of $5000?
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I am always at a loss for words when starting a letter like this, so allow me to dive right in. As I mention above, my nephew Zaid was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3. He is 15 today. Over the years, I have watched the dichotomy of his situation unfold in front of my family’s eyes. Autism can be really, really difficult. It is isolating, trying and at times, heartbreaking. But it can also be really, really amazing. It makes you accept the differences and opens your eyes to the strength, found in those whom it affects. It brings an appreciation of milestones, new friends, and new experiences. It allows you to find love in ways you never thought possible.
So, I’ve decided to play a small part in helping those affected by autism. I am pleased to announce that I am running the London Marathon and have committed to raise $5,000 for the Organization for Autism Research [OAR]. Please join me in raising money to help autism research so that we may better help those who live with it every day. No donation is too small.
Quite honestly, my part is easy. All I have to do is run. Those who know me, know that I do plenty of that already. However, for Zaid, his parents, and the extended family (and all families managing Autism), the everyday challenges are countless. With our help we can support OAR so they may further help Zaid and his family to do whatever they need to ensure he has every opportunity to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Thank you for your support!
If you know of anyone else in your circle who might be interested in supporting me on this journey, please feel free to forward.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Thomson Reuters | 04/10/2020 | $100.00 | Microsoft Matching Gifts Program | 03/02/2020 | $50.00 | Sherine Koshy | 02/20/2020 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 02/18/2020 | $100.00 | Anonymous Friend | 02/16/2020 | $25.00 | Joan Veterano | 02/16/2020 | $25.00 | Jamie Nazario | 02/16/2020 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 02/16/2020 | $15.00 | So proud of you AS ALWAYS for coming up with noble causes! | Seema Rani | 02/16/2020 | $20.00 | This is an amazing initiative. Keep going! | Renata Ostrowicki | 02/15/2020 | $50.00 | Rida Hasan | 02/15/2020 | $100.00 | We support you, Zaid and Dr. Samina all the way! Love, Rida and Rashed | Anita Azam | 02/15/2020 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 02/15/2020 | $20.00 | Jenna Altomare | 02/15/2020 | $15.00 | Anonymous Friend | 02/15/2020 | $500.00 | Thanks for doing this for Zaid!!! | Andy Wishart | 01/27/2020 | $100.00 | Amy Collier | 01/22/2020 | $25.00 | Billy Graboso | 01/22/2020 | $49.00 | Tom Lewis | 01/22/2020 | $50.00 | Ghassan Abou Samra | 01/22/2020 | $100.00 | Craig Astreicher | 01/22/2020 | $25.00 | Brohi | 01/22/2020 | $50.00 | Ryan McVerry | 01/22/2020 | $15.00 | Cassie Wangsness | 01/22/2020 | $52.00 | Greta Engle | 01/22/2020 | $50.00 | Hoffman | 01/22/2020 | $25.00 | Ahmed | 01/22/2020 | $25.00 | Gordon Bakoulis | 01/22/2020 | $50.00 | Marla Rute Wendling | 01/22/2020 | $25.00 | Robert Czyzyk | 01/22/2020 | $36.00 | Sara Koch | 01/22/2020 | $52.00 | Francesca Ciarrocchi | 01/22/2020 | $100.00 | Ilja Herdt | 01/22/2020 | $10.00 | Romina | 01/22/2020 | $50.00 | Ann Restak | 01/22/2020 | $80.00 | Bianka McGov | 01/22/2020 | $50.00 | Bill Alexy | 01/22/2020 | $20.00 | Sarah Zaglifa | 01/22/2020 | $50.00 | Andrea Rafael | 01/22/2020 | $60.00 | Jon Tascher | 01/22/2020 | $35.00 | Maria Lozovskaya | 01/22/2020 | $25.00 | Nina Morato | 01/22/2020 | $20.00 | Audrey Ermolov | 01/22/2020 | $20.00 | Jason Winstanley | 01/22/2020 | $60.00 | Laura Rodriguez Diluca | 01/22/2020 | $30.00 | Thomson Reuters | 01/22/2020 | $75.00 | Rob Gleason | 01/22/2020 | $20.00 | Best of luck on your race in London and on using it to raise money for a great cause. | Fiona Dhrimaj | 01/22/2020 | $25.00 | Vishakha Patel | 01/22/2020 | $101.00 | MOAZZAM BROHI | 01/22/2020 | $75.00 | Ezenwa Anyanwu | 01/22/2020 | $5.00 | Henry Asher | 01/22/2020 | $72.00 | Bobby Asher | 01/22/2020 | $53.00 | Andrea Retzky | 01/22/2020 | $40.00 | Anonymous Friend | 01/19/2020 | $125.00 | Christine Smith | 01/16/2020 | $25.00 | Go Ali Go! | Claude Balu | 01/15/2020 | $50.00 | Hang Xiao | 01/14/2020 | $100.00 | Hi Ali, Thank you so much for coaching me through Chicago training cycle in 2018. Thank you for your time and sharing your wealth of knowledge. I am very happy to see you running London marathon for a great cause. Hopefully, my contribution will help! Good luck! Have a great time in London! Hang Xiao | Thomson Reuters | 01/13/2020 | $50.00 | Thomson Reuters | 01/13/2020 | $50.00 | Thomson Reuters | 01/13/2020 | $50.00 | Thomson Reuters | 01/13/2020 | $50.00 | Peter Marzullo | 01/12/2020 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 01/10/2020 | $100.00 | Vas Vassilev | 01/09/2020 | $30.00 | Dara Frank | 01/09/2020 | $54.00 | Anonymous Friend | 01/08/2020 | $30.00 | You got this! Have a great time! | Mike Catchpole | 01/08/2020 | $20.00 | Great cause! Always inspiring. Go Ali! | Irish McIntyre | 01/08/2020 | $50.00 | In support of Zaid, his family, and the Organization for Autism Research. | Lauren “faster Than Ali” Barrett | 01/07/2020 | $100.00 | ❤️ | Anonymous Friend | 01/07/2020 | $50.00 | Happy training and have a great race, Ali! | Ahjin Kim | 01/07/2020 | $100.00 | You’re one of the best humans around, and I bet your nephew is too. Have the best race! | Emanuel Carvajal | 01/07/2020 | $50.00 | Go Terminator | Lauren Tanenbaum | 01/07/2020 | $100.00 | Go get it!! | James Mutton | 01/07/2020 | $50.00 | Way to go Ali! | Anonymous Friend | 01/07/2020 | $20.00 | Good wishes to you and to those on whose behalf you will run! | Renata Lewis | 01/07/2020 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 01/07/2020 | $50.00 | Wishing you all the best, Ali! | Brian Romer | 01/07/2020 | $100.00 | Brian Spiva | 01/07/2020 | $50.00 | Great cause! Enjoy the run. | Carol Fox | 01/07/2020 | $25.00 | Joseph Dormani | 01/06/2020 | $100.00 | Rawia Ashraf | 01/06/2020 | $101.00 | Claire Crossman | 01/06/2020 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 01/06/2020 | $50.00 | Jan Lew | 01/06/2020 | $50.00 | Always supporting you Ali!! | Kathryn Patullo | 01/06/2020 | $100.00 | Dani Kaiser | 01/06/2020 | $50.00 | You are always inspiring! Go get 'em! | Scott Post | 01/06/2020 | $20.00 | Neil Epstein | 01/06/2020 | $50.00 | Good Luck Ali | Greg Stephens | 01/06/2020 | $25.00 | Barbara Mann | 01/06/2020 | $50.00 | Go get it, Ali! | Jessica Tran | 01/06/2020 | $50.00 | Go, Ali, Go! Thank you for raising money for Autism Research and sharing the Zaid's story. Happy to support! | Anonymous Friend | 01/06/2020 | $50.00 |
| Total | $5,300.00 | ||