After 10 prior marathons and a 9 year hiatus from marathon running, I am excited to announce that I will be running The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC on October 29, 2023. To make these miles meaningful, I am on the Run for Autism Team supporting the Organization for Autism Research (OAR).

This event is quite personal to me as my youngest son, Graham, is on the Autism Spectrum. Graham is 12 years old but soon to be a teenager and is in the 7th grade. He is on the mild to moderate end of the spectrum and is very high functioning. Academically, he excels in math and enjoys science, STEM classes, history, and PE. Graham initially was challenged with expressive and receptive language processing, communication, and reading and writing skills. However, with 10 plus years of specialized support, Graham is mastering the skills he initially struggled with and excelling in all facets of life. Graham also loves almost ANY outdoor adventure and is an avid downhill skier, an exceptional golfer, a fly-fishing enthusiast, a pickle ball and cornhole challenger, and can run faster but not farther -YET- than me. Graham is blessed with a kind heart, is humorously silly, a loyal friend, has the sweetest and most affectionate soul, and donns the most infectious smile every single day. I certainly am beyond grateful and proud to be Graham’s momma...he truly is my hero.

This marathon will also be the opportunity to demonstrate to my two boys, who are now old enough to appreciate, that moms are tough, resilient, and determined individuals who can rise to any challenge and accomplish hard things.

I would be honored and humbled if you helped me support the Organization for Autism Research by making a contribution of ANY amount to my fundraiser. Every dollar I raise will advance the Organization for Autism Research's great cause! 


WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. By joining the RUN FOR AUTISM team, I am 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.