Thank you for visiting our fundraising page for RUN FOR AUTISM for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.  In the spring of 2011 our oldest son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.  After many challenging years and many attempts to help him with occupational therapy for his sensory processing disorder, this diagnosis was a blessing to us as we could now start to understand our son better.   At 7 years of age, he was diagnosed later than many children on the autism spectrum but with weekly appointments with an amazing group of local therapists and doctors, we as a family are beginning to understand how to tackle/answer some of the obstacles that we face.   But there are still many, many questions of why and how this disorder has come to be and how research is trying to understand it so that families can be equipped.

This year will be my third appearance to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and my first time to run the Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank Marathon.  We've joined the OAR's RUN FOR AUTISM team to help raise money and, more importantly, awareness about autism.  With your help someday we may understand more about this disorder that is still a mystery today to families and doctors.

Why did we pick the RUN FOR AUTISM program...

To raise money for autism research.  More than $.84 of every dollar raised will directly fund research studies that help answer some of autism’s most pressing questions. Since its inception in 2003, the RUN FOR AUTISM has raised more than $3.1 million for applied autism research.
The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is a national, nonprofit organization formed and led by relatives of children and adults with autism and Asperger Syndrome. OAR is dedicated to promoting research that can be applied to help families, educators, caregivers, and individuals with autism find much-needed answers to their immediate and urgent questions. Committed to the excellence in its services to the autism community, OAR funds applied research that will make a difference in individual lives; provides information that is timely, useful, and cost-efficient; and offers opportunities for the autism community to collaborate and make advances together.
Whether you are a runner, walker, donor or volunteer, your contribution makes you part of OAR’s RUN FOR AUTISM team.
In the end, you will have made a difference in the lives of thousands of families living with autism.  To learn more about this disorder, click here.

Our goal and how you can help...

As you've seen our fundraising goal has been achieved and we are looking forward to continue this adventure.  Will you help us reach the $3000 mark?  EVERY.PENNY.COUNTS.

Please note that I have already paid the entry fee to race in the marathon so this fundraising campaign is NOT my ticket to get into the race.  This fundraising effort is 100% dedicated to raise as much money as I can.  Let's DO THIS!!!  

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, many thanks for your support and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Thank you,

The VanLoo Ranch (Scott, Susan, Sam & Ben)