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 (OAR) great cause!

I have decided to partner with OAR for the 2026 Chicago Marathon based on how Autism has played a role in my adult life.

My mother-in-law, Ann Schad, has dedicated her entire professional life to assist individuals with Autism navigate the world around them. Through her work with Easter Seals, she has empowered her clients and families with early intervention programs, therapy, social activities in the community and career skills program. She is the co-creator for the LINK Program, which assists with social and communication skills, and hands-on skills specific to the workplace for individuals with Autism.

My cousin-in-law, Harry, is an Autistic Person who exemplifies what can be achieved with support from their family, friends and local community. Harry is an extremely gifted graphic designer, a graduate from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, an author of his own published short story (Wilson S. Whale), and is currently developing his second short story (Tim S. Turtle).

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.