The wonderful, handsome young man you see pictured here is my son Derek and I am running the 2021 NYC Marathon in his honor. Derek is THE most awesome kid on the planet and my admiration for him is beyond words. Derek has overcome every challenge he has ever faced and he has done it with a smile. Derek never complains or makes excuses; he just gets it done. Derek is truly my hero.

For me, the purpose of running the 2021 NYC Marathon is to raise funds and contribute to OAR so that all children with Autism can thrive and live the happy, healthy lives that they deserve. I want to see every child with Autism to be like Derek.

Please make a contribution to my fundraiser and share 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 54 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.