Here are ways to make an additional donation or help us raise funds for the 5K’s charitable organizations:

1) Make a donation directly to the Autism 5K charities on our event donation site:
http://www.active.com/donate/autism5k
(Choose an amount in the “Make a Contribution” box)

- Great option for those who would like to be at the event but can’t make it, yet still want to contribute.

2) Become a fundraiser and help us raise donations.
(Click the “Create a Fundraiser Page” Button)
- fundraisers who raise $100 or more will be eligible to win prizes too

3) Volunteer or Come to Cheer
If you can’t participate or contribute at this time, your presence at the event will be great for supporting the runners and walkers while helping us build awareness of autism’s reach.  Contact briana@autism5k.org for more information on volunteering.

4) When you register, there is also an option to make an additional donation.

Thank you so much!

Generation Rescue

Generation Rescue is an international movement of scientists, physicians and parent-volunteers researching the causes and treatments for autism, ADHD and chronic illness and mentoring thousands of families in recovering their children. Generation Rescue provides education, medical assistance and treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders, directly improving the child’s quality of life for all families in need.

Proceeds earned for Generation Rescue will help families in Minnesota through Generation Rescue’s Rescue Family grant program. The Rescue Family grant program provides biomedical treatment for families who can’t afford it. For more information on the organization and the Rescue Family grant program please visit www.generationrescue.org.

C.A.D.E. (Children with Autism Deserve Education)

The basis of C.A.D.E. is to help fund education for autism for children that don’t have the funding to obtain it.  The direct teaching method known as ABA/VB has been found to be the most effective treatment for autism and is the methodology that we support.  Unfortunately, many children with autism don’t have the opportunity to benefit from this effective therapy & public schools don’t have the funding to provide it.  C.A.D.E would like to be able to help fund those children that don’t have the financial means for this.  Children with autism deserve to obtain the most effective means of education and we will help them get  it.

C.A.D.E. will also support medical interventions for children.  There are many medical interventions that are being found helpful to the growing population of autism.  We will help provide funding for interventions that are supported and managed by medical doctors in the Twin Cities.

C.A.D.E. is 100% a volunteer organization, from the board to the other volunteers and all event proceeds it ultimately receives will go directly to fund grants for children in the Twin Cities.

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Children with Autism Deserve Education is the operating entity of the Autism 5K and will distribute race registration and sponsorship proceeds equally between Generation Rescue and C.A.D.E upon completion of the event.  Direct donations above and beyond registration or sponsorship fees can be made directly and independently to either nonprofit.

• Mary GrandPre’ Website
• Time Magazine Interview with Mary GrandPre‘

Purchase Prints of the Illustration!
(click the link above)

Notes from Mary GrandPre’ on this piece:
“I wanted to use the puzzle piece, a common symbol for autism, and combine it with the runner and the landscape. Here, a new central puzzle piece has been added to the scene… a sunlit piece of the lake and runner adds a bright focal point to the shaded landscape. This glowing puzzle piece represents hope for finding new answers and for bringing more attention to autism.”

purchase your print here!

For more information on the artwork, email info@autism5k.org.

We would like to thank the following sponsors:
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-

Additional Sponsors and Supporters:
- NorthStar Fire Protection
- Welsh Construction / NAI Welsh
- Integrity Global Solutions
- Minnesota Hyperbaric
- Kevin Wand, D.O.
- Dr. Sandra Spore, RMDABCI
- TACA
- Twin Six
- Tailor Made Nutrition
- Lovaas Institute Midwest
- Kaleidoscope Place
- Custom -Rx Compounding Pharmacy
- Master Supplements
- Autism Advocacy
- Fidelity Bank
- Bella Salon/Spa
- Jewels of Austria
- Bittersweet Gluten Free Bakery
- SafetyCall International
- VanRose Realty Team

Without our sponsors, we couldn’t make this event happen.  If given the opportunity, please pass on your thanks.

Interested in Sponsoring?

We had a tremendous turnout (750 registrations!) for the inaugural event in 2009 and expect an even larger turnout in 2010, giving our sponsors great exposure to the local community as well as an opportunity to support children with autism.

For information on how you can sponsor the Autism 5K, please contact mike@autism5k.org

Thank you.

Join us on Facebook!

Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=309024473375

1. Please RSVP that you will be attending on our event page.
2. Spread the word by inviting others.  Click on the “Share” button then the “Send a Message” tab and choose which friends you would like to send it to by typing in their names.
3. Post the Event to your Wall.  Click on the “Share” button then “post to profile” with comments or without.

Twitter!

Find us @autism5k
Follow us and we’ll follow you back.  Be sure to link to autism5k.org from your Twitter account too!

Full link: http://www.twitter.com/autism5k

Email a Friend or Share with your network!
Go to the home page and click on the “tell a friend” button at the bottom of the page,  then you’ll be able to email the link to a friend or post it to your Facebook page or your other networks.

You could also click on the “tell a friend” button on this page, but then just realize you’ll be sharing this specific page as opposed to the main page of The Autism 5K.

Old-Fashioned Social Networking Method:

Print off and share a copy of our online registration by giving it to friends or posting it at your local coffee shop or place of business.

Download the registration flyer PDF here:
http://www.autism5k.org/reg.pdf

And print it out!

2009 IT5K for Autism Photos (Flickr)

2009 IT5K Race Results
2009 IT5K Race Winners
2009 IT5K Trophies

TACA, our 2009 charity.
IT5K Family Stories from 2009

2009 IT5K Sponsors

2009 IT5K for Autism on Facebook

The following are the best  race shirts from running events in Minnesota:
(in no particular order)

1) The Twin Cities Marathon

Maybe the very best race shirt offering in Minnesota.  Why?

• Year over year they’ve had great artwork, whether from the third year (1984) or the most recent shirts.  A great body of work!
• They don’t just offer one top notch shirt (for the marathon) but also superb artwork for the 10 mile shirt.  The kid’s run shirts are great too.
• A true finisher’s shirt – there’s honor in getting and wearing it!
• Long sleeves for fall!

Am I the only one that thinks their logo kind of looks like “Where the Hell is Matt” dancing though?!

2) The Minneapolis Marathon

OK, they’re technically offering a finisher’s jacket, but… they’re offering a jacket!!  That’s pretty impressive and nice training t-shirts can be purchased separately too.

This was year one for the Minneapolis Marathon.  The great race jackets and shirts should help the cause!

3)  The Autism 5K

Yep, that’s us (2009 Race Shirt), but we’re pretty excited about what we’ve got to offer.  When we first discussed the race shirt we said, “let’s try to provide the best race shirt design ever!” and here’s why we’re close:

• Main Artwork provided by Mary GrandPre’, world famous illustrator of all seven Harry Potter novels among other terrific projects
• Graphic Design by Armato Design & Press, fabulous local letterpress shop.

The Autism 5K will be held Saturday, May 15th 2010 at Lake Calhoun.   Join us to get yours!

4)  Minneapolis Recycle Run

Their artwork is terrific and the cause is trendy too (albeit ever important)!  For some the brown shirt’s favor might hinge on personal tastes, but keep in mind it’s a fully organic shirt and you have the option to take in the run with or without it!  We love it!

5)  Any Race with a Technical Shirt!

While cotton is fine for every day use, serious runners appreciate any race that offers technical shirts.  These shirts hold up much better than cotton and typically offer moisture wicking capabilities.

I wouldn’t say it’s impossible to make a stylish technical tee, but it’s more challenging for the traditional race shirt designer.  The good designs tend to be sleek and use unique lines, going well beyond offering just a cool logo.  The capability to integrate art and design into technical shirts will probably only increase as the shirt technology continues to develop.

Honorable Mentions:
Grandma’s Marathon – For the achievement factor alone.
Stillwater Marathon – Their first year could be a nice collector.

What is your favorite race shirt?
Photos?… email info@autism5k.org

Rocio and Sean Bezdicek on their family’s journey (so far):

“Salvador was diagnosed with Autism at 2 1/2. He used to be very social by being a big flirt with all smiles, but one day he became catatonic in a corner; we even thought he was deaf.  We were devastated as we didn’t know how we lost him.

We have since been working hard to get him back by seeking the best biomedical and behavioral treatment, trying many different things along the way.  Salva is starting to come back to us as he has reconnected to the world and has been using signs to communicate. 

It was a joy to hear his voice a couple years ago, and we are waiting to hear “Mama” and “Papa” again.”

What do you find that others don’t always understand about autism?

“Autism is a condition that requires your constant attention as anything can happen.  It is like driving in the rain.  It requires constant focus as you have to be ready for anything.  There is little or no time to relax.

It is hard to see how much pain we have endured when we physically appear like any other family.”

Has TACA been a resource for you?  If so, how?

“From TACA we have learned of many different services and techniques from different parents.  Also, it has been a great network to learn how others are managing the condition.  Plus, it is great to be around a GROUP of people who truly understand what it means to have autism touch your life.”

What’s the main reason you’re supporting the IT5K for Autism?

“It is a great way to support and help spread the word on what is going on with many kids like ours.”

Thank you so much to Sean and Rocio for sharing your personal story and your insights.