Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I am a 42 year old high school Health Science teacher in Hoover, Alabama, who moved from Syracuse, New York, in 2001. I have a very supportive and amazing team in my lovely wife, 13 year old son, and 10 year old daughter.
Despite growing up active and involved in sports like baseball and football, I was never a great runner. When I decided to pick up running several years ago in my early 30s, it was mostly because I was becoming unhealthy and overweight. I struggled to run even one mile without stopping. Eventually, I overcame that challenge and ran my first 5K. The atmosphere was electric and that is when I fell in love with the sport. Running has become a major part of my life and I am grateful for what it has done for me. I am physically in the best shape since I was a teenager and mentally I feel I can accomplish any goal I set my mind to.
I have logged a lot of miles since that first 5K, but I never imagined where running could actually take me.
I am thrilled to have been selected to run the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon on the Run for Autism Team as a part of OAR, the Organization for Autism Research. The London Marathon is the largest annual fundraising event on the planet and 2020 marks their 40th year.
Why run for autism? As a high school teacher, I have seen the effects of the autism spectrum disorder in our students and with the children of co-workers. One in 68 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. OAR is unique in its focus in applied research; research with a high probability of producing tangible and practical benefits to families dealing with the challenges of autism.
This is where you come in. My pledge is to raise $5,000 for OAR. While this may seem like a lofty goal, I’m confident that with the help of my friends, family, the Birmingham running community and my fellow educators, it can be achieved.
Please consider a donation to this worthy cause, any amount is greatly appreciated! Working together, we can help find the missing pieces of the autism puzzle. If you or your family has been directly affected by autism spectrum disorder and you pledge a minimum of $50, I will carry the name of your loved one(s) with me on race day.
