Ten years ago, I lost control of my senses and I ran a marathon. It was hard, hurt, and I swore I would never do it again.

I lied, and I've lost my good sense again.

I'm doing another marathon. This time, it's the Chicago Marathon. One of the world's major marathons. I'm actually really excited.

I'm also excited to be able to run for the same charity that I ran with last time, the Organization for Autism Research, OAR. This great group focuses on research projects with the aim of improving the lives of people with autism. They do great work. Take a look at their website: researchautism.org.

This is a cause I care about. We have likely all come into contact with neurodivergent people and undoubtedly they have impacted our lives. Moreover, my wife Jaclyn in her professional capacity has worked with many children with autism and knows first hand the importance of excellent resources to support families from diagnosis to adulthood, and beyond. Which is the exact mission of OAR.

I'm hoping you can help me raise money for this excellent cause and make my run worthwhile. As I log miles, burn calories, and shed sweat, I hope that your donation can help me reach my fundraising goal of $2400 (that's USD for my Canadian friends). For those of you living in the United States, I am given to understand that you can receive a tax receipt for your donation. Unfortunately, for my Canadian friends, this is not an option. Still, I hope you'll help out by giving to a good cause.

I think this is an achievable goal. If 96 people give just $25 to this great cause, I can meet my goal. If 80 people give $30, I'm there, and if 48 of you generous people contribute $50 for this cause, I'm done. Totally within reach. Just like running 26.2 miles is (if you donate $1 per mile of a marathon I'd need 92 donors)!

Take a look below to read a bit more about OAR and how they use the donations they receive.

In addition to making a donation, I also hope you'll share this message with anyone you know who may be interested in the OAR and may want to donate to a worthwhile cause. No matter how I do in the marathon, the OAR and the people who need it still receive the donations, so please help out.

Thank you so much for your help and your support for OAR, and for me.

Yours in perspiration,

Cory


WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 31 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.
$50,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.