Friends, Family, and Colleagues,

I am writing to tell you some exciting news about a challenge I am undertaking. On Sunday, October 2nd, 2022, I will be running the London Marathon in support of the Organization for Autism Research!

As many of you know, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) run in my family, I have several autistic friends, and I myself am autistic. I advocate for awareness and acceptance of autism spectrum disorders and autistic people so that others can understand what ASDs are and how to interact with autistic people.

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) focuses on using applied science to answer questions, address concerns, and offer support to autistic people and their families, as well as teachers, parents, and caregivers. They fund research which directly affects the daily quality of life of autistic people, and which promotes positive outcomes in such areas as education, communication, social skills, self-care, behavior, employment, and adult and community living.

If you’d like to support me in this endeavor, please click here to access my fundraising page: https://support.researchautism.org/London2022/jhardy1987.

Thank you very much for your support, and for helping to promote understanding and acceptance of autism.


Please help me support Organization for Autism Research 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 44 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.

$30,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.