I've been blessed to witness my friends Beth and Melissa lace up their sneakers on behalf of Organization for Autism Research for many years and through them learn what OAR is all about. In 2022, I attended the OAR dinner for charity runners the night before the Chicago Marathon with Beth and Melissa and heard firsthand all of the things this organization does to provide resources to families, people with autism, and educators. In addition, I learned about the research studies they fund that impact the day-to-day quality of life for those with autism. Did I mention that OAR is an organization founded and led by parents and grandparents of autistic children? It truly is incredible.

The stories I heard in Chicago from parents and family members of those with autism left me feeling inspired and honestly, a bit weepy. Those amazing people left me with no doubt that I wanted to find a way to support OAR myself - so here I am! It is my turn to lace up my sneakers on behalf of OAR at the 2024 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. Will you help me by donating to my fundraiser?

Please help me support Organization for Autism Research by making a contribution to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your family and friends. Every dollar I raise will advance Organization for Autism Research's great cause! 

WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 36 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.
$40,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.