For years I thought I hated running (or any physical activity) until I got peer pressured into it at the UB Running Club. As a generally unathletic person, it helped me build that foundation and became an important part of how I stayed active in my life. Years later I'm finally aiming to run a marathon and got lucky to both be able to run the NYC marathon as well as do it for a great cause!

Every dollar I raise will advance Organization for Autism Research's great cause and will bring me closer to suffering on a really long run and making a difference in someone's life! 

WHY RUN FOR AUTISM?
1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. By supporting 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 this 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.