Hi everyone! My name is Luke Hollenbeck, I am from Reading, MA and a junior at Fordham University. I am excited to announce that after 20 weeks of training, I will run 26.2 miles alongside thousands of other runners from around the world to compete in the Novemver 4, 2024 NYC TCS Marathon.

I have joined the RUN FOR AUTISM team that will support the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) which provides autism awareness, training and research.

WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
My individual team name is "Miles for Declan." Declan is my cousin who lives with autism. I have watched this amazing young man, who we thought could be non-verbal, grow into a charming, funny and talented 14 year old. He is an active member of his church, participates in Special Olympics, is an accomplished photographer and is fascinated with architecture. He has a funny sense of humor and is quite the talker! It is with the help of organizations like OAR, and Declan's brave mom, that he is living his best life!

1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. By donationg to Miles for Declan, you’re supporting OAR’s mission to fund research and resources that help people with autism, their families, teachers and caregivers. Every dollar counts, but you can refer below to see how your donation will directly affect and actualize in real life.
Here are some of the ways that OAR uses the funds raised by my team and others who joined 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.
$50,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.