Please help me support by making a contribution to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your family and friends. I am 100% funding my own way to the Chicago Marathon 2026 and every dollar I raise to run with the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) will fund OAR's great cause!

I have always been called to help and serve individuals in need and being born into a family of teachers, counselors and other human service professions, it is in my DNA. Early in my career before working with public health programs, I had the opportunity to work 1-1 with people diagnosed with ASD by supporting kids in the classroom and adults in finding meaningful long-term employment. ASD presents differently in everyone and individuals face particular challenges that can make engaging in everyday activities more difficult to achieve.

One of the greatest challenges families and individuals face is a lack of resources. However, I have seen firsthand that with the right resources and supports, people living with ASD can live, love, and work just as independently as their neurotypical peers. I am running for this cause because I want to spread awareness that neurodivergence is beautiful and because supporting the work of organizations like OAR can help people living with ASD thrive!

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.