In the past year, I have run two half marathons, and I don't intend to stop anytime soon. I'm addicted ... and not just to the running! I have watched my 5 year old son with autism make some amazing progress in the past 12 months. I have heard him speak full sentences, I have watched him show empathy toward others, I have witnessed him playing and interacting with his siblings, and I have seen him show off his amazing athletic abilities in gymnastics. He will start kindergarten next year, and it's a big step for my family.

For Dave and all those other children who struggle every day to do what most of us take for granted ... that's why I run! I run for these kids. I run for their siblings, who give up so much. I run for their parents, who sacrifice and worry about their futures. I run so that autism will be far more understood by the time my grandchildren come into the world. Autism affects 1 in 88 - which means that nearly everyone reading this will be touched by autism in some way.

The Organization for Autism Research is an amazing organization that puts $0.84 of every $1 they raise directly toward funding research. (www.researchautism.org)  There are still too many unanswered questions regarding autism - what is the cause? what is the best treatment? why do some kids see amazing progress, while others will never talk?

Autism is one of the most underfunded medical challenges in our society.

Prevalence vs. Private Funding

* Leukemia: Affects 1 in 1,200 / Funding: $277 million
* Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 100,000 / Funding: $162 million
* Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 300 / Funding: $394 million
* Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500 / Funding: $156 million
* Autism: Affects 1 in 110 / Funding: $79 million

National Institutes of Health Funds Allocation

* Total 2010 NIH budget: $35.6 billion
* Of this, only $218 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.6% of total NIH funding

Thank you for taking the time to visit my page, and thank you for your support!!