I run for my brother Sammy, who is 26 years old and has Autism. While many people recognize the impact autism has on young children, the challenges—and the need for support—do not disappear as those children grow into adults. Too often, services, benefits, and assistance decrease with age, even though autism is lifelong.

I continue to advocate every day for adults with autism, like my brother, until they receive the understanding, resources, and care they deserve. I am proud to be fundraising for the Organization for Autism Research because of its commitment to using science to address the social, educational, and treatment needs of individuals with Autism, their families, professionals, and caregivers. I also deeply appreciate that OAR is led by autistic individuals, parents, and experts in the field.