In the past year, I have had the privilege to work with young children who have special needs.  Some of these children have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Working with these children has truly made a difference in my life.  I feel so fortunate to, in some small way, make a difference in their lives by helping them work through their daily tasks in the classroom.  They have been an inspiration to me in so many ways but first and foremost is the capacity they have to love and to bring a smile to my face.  I ran my first marathon in Chicago in October 2005 and just completed my second Chicago Marathon in October of 2006.  I did not discover the Organization for Autism Research in time to raise money prior to my last marathon.  As a result, I am going to run a half marathon in Miami on January 28, 2007 in order to raise money for this terrific organization.  I thank you in advance for helping me reach my goal and for making your contribution to an organization that will benefit so many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Please read on for more information about Autism and the Organization for Autism Research.

Autism is:

• a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact socially. There is no known cure, and it remains a lifelong challenge.
• more prevalent than Down Syndrome, childhood diabetes and childhood cancer combined
• estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 166 births and affect 1.7 million children and adults in the U.S. today

Research, like OAR-sponsored studies, is needed to find answers and provide practical solutions for those with autism today.

This organization was founded 2001 with the goal of funding research for issues affecting the autism community, involving parents and grandparents of children and adults on the autism spectrum.  You can look at their organization and research projects on their website at http://www.researchautism.org/. 

Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to my fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Or, if you're not comfortable donating on-line, you can send your donation check by regular mail made out to "The Organization for Autism Research" at:

Organization for Autism Research
2000 North 14th Street, Suite 480
Arlington, VA 22201
Tel: 703.243.9710