For the last 4-years I have run the Chicago Marathon on the Run for Autism Team. I have a 12 year old grandson with autism. Watching my daughter struggle with school systems and insurance companies over the years left me feeling helpless until I found the Organization for Autism Research. Now I feel empowered being able to combine a sport that I love and a cause I am passionate about. I'm overwhelmed by the number of people that comment when I'm running a race about a family member or someone they know with autism. My OAR experience is two-fold: 1) raising money for autism research and services and 2) raising awareness of autism. OAR provides me with the tools to do both. My friends have thanked me for "educating" them on autism - they weren't aware of how many families are touched by it. An added benefit I didn't anticipate is all the wonderful friends I have made with like-minded people - all sharing similar experiences and supporting each other. The OAR staff goes over and above in supporting us with resources and fundraising ideas.