Ever since I fell in love with running more than 5 years ago, I've wanted to run the London Marathon. I have run 5 marathons since my first step from the couch all those years ago, but London, with its ballot entry, has been elusive until now. I have been offered a chance to run the 2016 London Marathon as part of RUN FOR AUTISM through OAR (Organization for Autism Research). The London Marathon is the largest annual fundraising event on the planet – runners have raised over £700 million for causes since the race began in 1981.
Why RUN FOR AUTISM? - I have seen the effects of an Autism Spectrum Disorder in many of my friends' families. including a good friend who's 10year old struggled in his early years but now thrives because of the resources he has today and early childhood intervention. Unfortunately, Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. and it seems like everywhere you go, someone's family is affected by it.
As an endurance athlete with a passion for sharing the spark among others and a desire to make a difference in the world we live in, what better way than to combine the two?
I have pledged to run the London Marathon on April 24, 2016. It is my goal to raise $5,000 for OAR (Organization for Autism Research). This is where I am asking for your support.
Please consider a donation to this most wonderful cause. Every little bit helps.
Working together, we will find the missing pieces of the Autism Puzzle! Visit: http://www.researchautism.org/ to learn more about the wonderful programs your donation is supporting.
Did you know -
- Autism now affects 1 in 68 children
- Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
- Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
- There is no medical detection or cure for autism
Families affected by autism continually have to fight for their children by searching for treatment and resources, educating themselves about this condition and spreading information to teachers, peers and other stakeholders. OAR (Organization for Autism Research) takes over a piece of this burden for families. 83 cents of every dollar raised funds innovative research to help families find answers to their most urgent questions.
OAR places much of its focus on research that benefits children and adults, their caregivers and educators. In 2015, OAR awarded 10 research grants totaling $17,849. With these grants, OAR has awarded over $189,000 in research grants to 105 graduate researchers since 2004. OAR also helps individuals with autism directly. Last year, the group awarded 40 scholarships to students with autism pursuing post-secondary education opportunities. OAR is the only autism non-profit that focuses solely on applied research.
Funds raised by the RUN FOR AUTISM--2016 London Marathon team will support the Organization for Autism Research (OAR). OAR funds research and programs that help parents, families, and educators in the autism community on a daily basis. To learn more, visit www.researchautism.org.
I hope I can count on you to support my marathon run by contributing to OAR!
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Jayashree Kumar | 04/21/2016 | $40.00 | Manjula Chakrapani | 04/12/2016 | $25.00 | Gary Willie | 04/12/2016 | $20.00 | Good luck, don't suck. :-) | Laura Hutchins | 04/11/2016 | $25.00 | Clotilde Despointes | 04/10/2016 | $25.00 | Smitha, Have a fantastic race and thank you for supporting Autism Research! Let's plan a slow run when you return from this journey! | Julia Stewart | 04/08/2016 | $50.00 | Go crush this marathon! It's been a privilege to help you prepare even if it's only been for a few miles. Thank you for helping me realize I can do this too! #TeamLokiForever | Shawna Block | 04/07/2016 | $20.00 | Anu Anup | 04/07/2016 | $100.00 | Pradeep Vittalmurthy | 03/24/2016 | $25.00 | Good luck!!! | Two Teachers TShirts LLC | 02/01/2016 | $887.00 | Z2 Test | 01/27/2016 | $.01 | Z2 Test | Marietta Hollada | 01/26/2016 | $100.00 | Teri & Doug Claeson | 01/23/2016 | $50.00 | Teri & Doug Claeson | 01/23/2016 | $100.00 | Teri & Doug Claeson | 01/23/2016 | $50.00 | Barbara Blackford | 12/18/2015 | $200.00 | Adam Feder | 12/14/2015 | $50.00 | Angela Nelms | 12/13/2015 | $265.00 | Donations from Keep Collective Fundraiser | Kim Duncan | 12/10/2015 | $100.00 | Carrie Giordano | 12/10/2015 | $30.00 | Trey Gruber | 12/07/2015 | $100.00 | Good luck in London! | Patty Holliday | 12/01/2015 | $25.00 | Good Luck! - No Guilt Jams | Andrea Hillman | 11/25/2015 | $26.20 | Good luck on your race. You deserve all the happiness! Love you Smitha | Tiffany Jowers | 11/24/2015 | $75.00 | Good Luck! I only wish I had more to give but you are doing an amazing job! | Laurie Ford | 11/22/2015 | $100.00 | We had a great time - here is my door prize donation. | Anonymous Friend | 11/22/2015 | $20.00 | Proud of you Sunshine! | Patricia Waters | 11/21/2015 | $15.00 | Best of luck to you, Smitha! Know you can do it...you Inspire us all! Your fellow TriGeek, Whitney | Adri Herman | 11/21/2015 | $20.00 | Good luck with your fund raising and have fun in London. | Barry Falcon | 11/21/2015 | $100.00 | Good Luck and finish smiling! Awesome cause. | Miles Bays | 11/20/2015 | $200.00 | Thank you Smitha!! | Hallie Cheek | 11/20/2015 | $50.00 | So proud of you!!! | Stephanie Jacob | 11/20/2015 | $20.00 | Deepak Raghavan | 11/14/2015 | $250.00 | Good luck, Smitha! | Scott Dorfman | 11/14/2015 | $250.00 | Ronald Archuleta | 11/06/2015 | $50.00 | Good Luck Smitha and thank you for time and effort for the and for the many children that may benefit from your efforts. Ron & Saundra | Rebecca Holl | 11/05/2015 | $15.00 | Way to make a lot of dreams come true at once! | Joy Sandoz | 11/05/2015 | $50.00 | Go, Smitha, go! | Amie Willis | 11/05/2015 | $25.00 | You're amazing!! | Dawn Burke | 11/04/2015 | $50.00 | Sharon Howell | 10/23/2015 | $20.00 | Good luck & thanks for helping the families with loved ones on the Autism Spectrum. | Jennifer Ridgley | 10/18/2015 | $50.00 | Jenna Miller | 10/16/2015 | $50.00 | Ajit Kahaduwe | 10/09/2015 | $50.00 | Go FauxRunner! | Anonymous Friend | 10/09/2015 | $100.00 | Good Luck!!! | Tracey Ali | 10/09/2015 | $15.00 | car vinyl | Holly Marzetti | 10/08/2015 | $20.00 | Mike Kahren | 10/07/2015 | $50.00 | Good Luck with your training for London. It was my pleasure to meet you at the pasta dinner the night before Augusta 70.3. | Allen Heaton | 10/07/2015 | $40.00 | Thank you for allowing Kinetix Cycling to help you in advance of your 70.3 Augusta Half Ironman success. I'm happy I can now help you in a running event as you raise money and awareness for autism as you take on another big event with your London Marathon! Go Smitha Go!!! | Mike Luebeck | 10/06/2015 | $100.00 | Good luck! | Mangala Udupa | 10/05/2015 | $100.00 | Good luck Smitha! Hope your run for autism helps many ! Keep running! | Laurie Ford | 09/28/2015 | $35.00 | Thank you for everything that you do. You are amazing. I am so glad that we met. Good Luck in London. | Lajuana Williams | 09/25/2015 | $20.00 | SPARKLE! GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUNDRAISING | Karen Vickers | 09/23/2015 | $25.00 | Adam Feder | 09/22/2015 | $50.00 | Adam, Karen, Ian, and Bess Feder | Dan & Debbe Myers | 09/22/2015 | $100.00 | our best to you this weekend.... If I hadn't met you at Costco last year we might not be doing Augusta....it's all your fault!! Let's celebrate after... | Adrienne Martini | 09/20/2015 | $20.00 | SPARKLE! And go SMITHA! | Kim Dixson | 09/18/2015 | $50.00 | You go Smitha!!! | Debra Robey | 09/17/2015 | $35.00 | Mind those Gaps! Have a great run for this great cause! Geronimo! | Jennifer Lewis | 09/17/2015 | $50.00 | Julie Pitts | 09/17/2015 | $20.00 | Good luck!! Have a good time! | Erin Ranes | 09/15/2015 | $50.00 | Tara Corduan | 09/15/2015 | $50.00 | Thank you for running for this great cause. | Carla Brown | 09/14/2015 | $25.00 | Good luck! And thank you for introducing me to Sparkle Skirts :-) | Tanya Sheehan | 09/13/2015 | $35.00 | Good luck Smitha! From a fellow Sparkle Fan! | Cathy Ordiway | 09/11/2015 | $35.00 | Sparkle on!!! | Jean Wells | 09/11/2015 | $20.00 | Doing this for a "Sparkle" siste | Christina Madison | 09/11/2015 | $10.00 | Coach Slayer | 09/10/2015 | $25.00 | Good luck Smitha! | Smitha Barki | 09/01/2015 | $100.00 | Registration for the London Marathon | Julie Hoffman | 09/01/2015 | $25.00 | Amy Peavysmith | 09/01/2015 | $15.00 | Great cause!! |
| Total | $4,993.21 | ||