Please read, this is very important to me!

I decided to run my first marathon in my life. The legendary Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, which this year will be an anniversary, the 50th.

Yes, there are only 3 months left until the start. Yes, I am an absolute beginner. But this is a decision from the heart. I believe in myself (and I hope my coach believes in me).

This marathon is organized by the US Marine Corps - those who inspire sincere admiration. People who inspire with their strength, endurance and dedication. This is a marathon where there are no prizes, no ego, there is only a goal and a team.

I have crossed paths with the guys from Marine Corps in life - we worked together, trained, I even studied their martial art MCMAP and passed the exam for the first belt. They are people you want to look up to.

I set a goal for myself, looking at their example: to reach the end, no matter what. And that's why I have to be there - this year.

All the usual slots for the marathon are gone. The only way to participate is through charity, and for the first time in my life I'm asking for help.

After carefully studying all the funds, I chose the Run For Autism team and the Organization for Autism Research fund. Organization for Autism Research is a charity founded by parents of children with autism. They finance applied research, the goal of which is not to "cure" autism, but to really improve the lives of children and adults on the spectrum: to help with education, adaptation, communication, employment. The fund publishes free educational materials, manuals, trains teachers and parents, supports families with children with autism. They also issue scholarships to teenagers and students on the spectrum. OAR is transparent: more than 80% of the funds go to real programs, the fund has high ratings on Charity Navigator. They work with people who have personal experience of autism and really focus on the benefit, not on abstract research.

And now I am raising funds for this foundation. And at the same time - getting closer to my dream.

With just one donation you will do double good:
1. Help me get to the starting line and run my first marathon.
2. Support families and children who really need it.

Even the smallest contribution is already support and faith.
Thank you to everyone who responds. This is very important to me.