Join me in my efforts to support Autism Speaks!

February 23, 2025, I will be running the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Orlando, Florida alongside my sister Abby who will be turning 40 that month. This will be Abby's second Disney Princess Half Marathon. Additionally, Abby has run more than a dozen races, including a marathon. In fact, we ran our first half marathon together in Madison, Wisconsin when I was a rising sophomore in college and she was a medical student.

Abby and I are both raising funds for Autism Speaks, a cause that is near and dear to our hearts as Abby's oldest child Shoshana has autism. (If you want to donate to Abby's campaign, you can do so here: https://act.autismspeaks.org/site/TR/TeamUp/TeamUp?px=5780446&pg=personal&fr_id=7992). Shoshana's birthday is also in February, and she will be turning 8 years old. Shoshana fills our lives with love. She has many interests and hobbies like horseback riding. She LOVES all things Disney Princess. She loves her family, including her cousins, her grandparents, her sister and brother, her dad, and most especially, her mom.

I could think of no better way to mark Abby's milestone birthday than running the Disney Half Marathon with her while raising money for Autism Speaks. Abby balances the demands of being a mother of three and a doctor with strength, capability, and a sense of humor.

We call the protagonists of Disney movies "princesses," but they are so much more than that. They are heroines. They are role models. They are flawed and dynamic characters who overcome immense challenges with determination, strength, and grace. We immerse ourselves in their stories and see ourselves or people we know in them and the situations they face. It makes sense that young girls like my niece Shoshana idolize them in a familiar fashion that she adores her heroic mom.

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States have autism. Autism Speaks enhances lives today and is accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow.

Thank you for helping me reach my goal. Your support is greatly appreciated!