Family, friends, and colleagues,

The autism community needs your assistance. As most of you know by now, our eleven-year-old son, Jack, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder around the age of three. If you've met Jack, you know he's the absolute best! The kid has dreams - huge dreams - to someday play in the NHL, hopefully for his (and my) favorite team, the Detroit Red Wings (take a look at the pictures below). Since Jack struggles to skate, he's slowly realizing that his fallback plan of becoming a hockey announcer is a better strategy to work around the game he loves. And if you heard him enthusiastically narrate our driveway or kitchen hockey games or heard him rattle off seemingly random NHL stats with ease, you'd know he actually has a shot!

Despite what some may say or believe, like millions of other kids on the spectrum, Jack will experience love. Jack's kitchen hockey skills have honed his hand-eye coordination to the point he can now smash a whiffle ball too, so he's played baseball. Jack's going to have a job - probably one far more important than yours and mine - and contribute greatly to society, taxes and all. With that huge smile and his infectious laugh, he's going to go on countless dates and probably break a few hearts. Though his brain may be wired differently than yours and mine, I have no doubt he's going to lead an amazing life!

But success isn’t guaranteed for everyone on the spectrum, especially as some lob hurtful, untrue grenades at the autism community. That’s why we need to support charities like the Organization for Autism Research. Unlike some, OAR is grounded in fact and science with a mission to apply research to the challenges of autism. OAR funds studies that investigate issues related to diagnosis, early intervention, education, transition to adulthood, housing, employment, and life care. Basically, OAR's platform helps ensure that kids like Jack have the future they deserve.

Now, here's where you come in. On October 12, 2025, I'll be participating in the Chicago Marathon to help raise money for OAR. When I lived in Chicago for six-plus years, I’d scoff at the folks plodding along, questioning their life decisions having paid money to voluntarily run a marathon. But here we are now, about two decades since I first moved to Chicago, ready to tackle the streets, hopefully in a time (~3:15) that will qualify me for the Boston Marathon, and hopefully raising more than $10,000 for OAR in the process!

I understand and respect that charitable giving is a very personal choice. Nonetheless, I encourage you to consider supporting my family and the millions of other families like mine with loved ones on the spectrum by making a small donation to OAR. Doing so will help provide necessary funding for autism research and resources for families needing support. Most importantly, you'll be helping ensure that Jack - and kids like Jack - have opportunities to fulfill their dreams (no matter how big they are) and live life to the fullest.

Thanks for your time and your donation,

Colin

Please help me support 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 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.