In 2015, I crossed the finish line of my first Boston Marathon and set a goal to complete all 6 World Major Marathons. In 2023, I have the privilege of running both the London Marathon and the Berlin Marathon and going for my 4th and 5th of the 6 World Marathon Stars.

But these marathons are different. For the 2023 London and Berlin Marathons, I am so excited to be part of the RUN FOR AUTISM fundraising team to support something near and dear to my family. In May of last year, our daughter Blake was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

In the best way possible, Blake has changed our perspective on just about everything. She is smart, creative, cuddly, analytical, athletic, sweet and loves to be chased around the house by her twin sister, Remi. When we started on this Autism journey, our wish as parents was for Blake to fit in, do the same things that other kids do, become mainstreamed. Those wishes have drastically changed. Blake has received education, therapy and resources that have made such a difference in her life. We don’t want her to fit in, we want her to be exactly who she is with the support to thrive!

Blake and Remi (the most supportive twin sister) have become my “Why” and put a new passion behind marathon running. I cannot wait to hit the streets of London and Berlin and run for Blake (and Remi) and the Autism community. If you are able, please consider donating to RUN FOR AUTISM. Thank you!


WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. By joining the RUN FOR AUTISM team, you’re supporting OAR’s mission to fund research and resources that help people with autism and their families today.

Here are some of the ways that OAR uses the funds raised by the RUN FOR AUTISM team:

$10 provides a Curriculum in a Box professional development set to general education teachers.
$25 provides 15 copies of 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 a Life Journey through Autism guidebook sent to a community support group or military installation.
$1,000 provides a research grant for a graduate student studying autism.
$3,000 provides a scholarship for a student with autism to attend college.
$30,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.