Running with Team Organization for Autism Research is an experience like no other. It has inspired me to run MCM in 2017 and 2018 and the Chicago Marathon in 2019. This year, after a hiatus, I will be running the MCM 10K for this amazing organization (Organization for Autism Research).

87% of the funds raised go to allow OAR to carry out their mission:

"We strive to use science to address the social, educational, and treatment concerns of self-advocates, parents, autism professionals, and caregivers. The mission of “applying” research to answer questions of daily concern to those living with autism defines our goals and program objectives and shapes our budget."

It is research that develops and discovers interventions to help children and families impacted by Autism. Our family is one of these families. My boys, Brenden (13) and Sean (10) were diagnosed with Autism at age 3. It was a struggle to cope with the diagnosis, help family and friends understand their diagnosis, and get them set up with services to suit their needs. We have been so blessed to meet many incredible people along the way and a group of professionals that have been so invested to help my boys make the strides that they have made. I am running to increase Autism acceptance and help fund research to help other families access services that my sons have been so fortunate to receive. 87% of funds raised go directly to research and services for families!

Thank you for joining me in supporting OAR.

WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 36 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.
$40,000 fully underwrites an applied research pilot study.