Did you know that autism is now the most prevalent childhood developmental disorder in the United States, affecting 1 in every 88 children born today. 1 in every 46 children in Utah. Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder that impairs communication, behavior, learning, and social skills. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism statistics show that it is reaching epidemic proportions. It appears during the first three years of life and there are no known causes or cure...YET!

More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined. In Utah, every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with autism. We hope you can help!



"Strides for Autism" is a sanctioned 5K run and 1 mile fun run/walk. Our goal is to raise funds for Autism Speaks as well as provide families the opportunity to gather and celebrate their loved ones with autism. This event is organized by a Utah family who is dedicated to supporting their grandson, nephew, cousin, brother, son and friend Riley Nelson. Riley was diagnosed with autism at 23 months of age after his extensive speech vocabulary diminished to nothing. He is currently 11 years old and continues to work to make sounds but is still considered non-verbal. Riley's family is dedicated to providing him with the best support possible and in this effort continues to change the future for ALL individuals affected by autism.

The Fourth Annual Strides for Autism will be held...
Saturday April 13th, 2013
in Lehi, Utah
2150 N. Pointe Meadows Drive (roughly 1900 west)

This year we are doing the races at separate starting times...
5K Race - 8:00 a.m.
1 Mile Fun Run - 9:00 a.m. 

Awards for the 5K will be done before the 1 Mile Fun Run begins
Race Day Registration will be begin at 7:00 am
5K Race Day registration will end promptly at 7:45.
Registration for the 1 Mile Fun Run will end promptly at 8:45 am


If you'd like to run because you know someone with Autism, let us know and the proceeds of your registration will go towards that person's Walk Now for Autism team donations!
We hope to make this year a huge success so we hope you'll come and join us!

There will be lots of information there on Autism
along with bounce houses, balloon entertainer, star wars characters, princesses, music, food, fun, t-shirts, and great prizes.

All proceeds from our annual "Strides for Autism" are given directly to Autism Speaks and used to fund research, awareness, family services and advocacy. Together we can make an impact locally for families who are affected by Autism. Grants from Autism Speaks have come back to the state of Utah in many forms including the funding of continuous autism research at the University of Utah.

REGISTRATION

To Register Click HERE

PRE-REGISTRATION PRICES
5K - $20 
(includes Race Shirt)
1 Mile Fun Run - $10
(WITHOUT shirt)
To help keep costs down for families and individuals and to help more
proceeds go towards the Walk we are not including Strides t-shirts for
the fun run/walk registrants.  However, if you'd like to purchase a
shirt register for the 1 Mile Fun Run with shirt included.
1 Mile Fun Run - $15
(WITH shirt included)

If you register online for Strides you'll notice that there is a $1.50 fee per race application for a credit card transaction.  If you'd rather not pay that, you can go to MAIL-IN FORM HERE and print off a mail in registration form and send it in with cash or check.  The form and the payment must be received no later than Saturday, April 6th.
Go here if you'd rather just register online!

FAMILY DISCOUNT
$40 for your entire immediate family for the 1 Mile Fun Run
(Family Discount Registration is only done by mail)
-see mail-in form above
(shirts are sold separately for $5/per person)
(there is no family discount for the 5K)

RACE DAY REGISTRATION PRICES
Shirts on Race day are on a first-come-first-serve basis.  We can not guarantee there will be shirts available.
5K - $25
1 Mile Fun Run - $15 (without shirt)
1 Mile Fun Run - $20 (with shirt)
Family Discount (1 Mile Fun Run) - $50 (shirts sold separately)

Any questions, concerns or comments, 
please contact Michelle at StridesForAutism@yahoo.com 

Want to show your support but can't be
at the race or won't be able to participate?  A big part of why we do
this race is to provide awareness of Autism, so this year we are
offering something extra.  We will have some cool autism awareness
shirts that you can purchase to help support our cause!



Be United!!!

Be United as a Team
Gather your friends and family and be united in a team effort to make a difference in the lives of those affected by autism. How do you do this? Invite your friends and family to register for the race and pick a team name to sign up under and be united in the cause.
Our team name is Rally for Riley. We've come together as family and friends to run for Riley who we love so much. Some of us run competitively, some of us walk, but we all do it for one purpose... Riley. He's had such an impact in all of our lives and this is a small thing we do for him and his family to show that we love and support them through this journey.
Whether you know someone with autism, you believe in the cause, or you just love to run, gather your friends and family and do this together as a team.

How do you get a team together? Spread word on facebook that you'd like to have people join...ask family and friends to join...email...neighbors....co-workers.

We've had so much fun as a team. We wear shirts with Riley's picture, we've made big signs, we Rally together as a team and have such a fun time at this event.
If you're interested in putting together a team but you're not quit sure what to do or you'd like some ideas on how to bring more team unity, email us.

TOGETHER WE ARE CHANGING THE FUTURE FOR EVERYONE AFFECTED BY AUTISM!!!

****************************************************************
NOTE FROM RILEY'S PARENTS
Dear Family and Friends,

As most of you know, in September of 2003, our lives changed when we were told our son Riley might have Autism. After his diagnosis in January of 2004, our outlook on life as well as our plans for the future were altered. The changes we saw in Riley were drastic and devastating. But regardless, we continued to be grateful that we were blessed to be his parents and continued to deeply love the little boy that had now been trapped inside the world of Autism. Over the years, we have been dedicated to providing for him the best possible treatments and therapies that we felt were appropriate to insure him the best possible outcome for his life. Throughout this process we have been overwhelmed with the amount of love and generosity from our families and know that this process would not have been possible without them. Although the progress that Riley has made has been slower than we would've liked, we have continued to see how everything that has been done for him has increased his quality of life and given us a chance for momentary presence inside his world. We are grateful for every moment we can be a part of his life.

With all of the therapies and interventions that are a part of his life, Riley continues to be a very happy, smiley, giggly boy. His humming, fire engine sounds and bouncing keep us smiling! He has a very contagious laugh and you can't help but know that he truly has an angelic spirit. We feel so blessed to be lucky enough to have such a special little guy in our home. He has taught us what life is all about and we can't wait for the day in heaven where we will all be together as a family and we will hear his voice that has been trapped inside for so long!

As many of you may know, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are on the rise and some say that it has become an epidemic. Utah is ranked 3rd in the nation for ASD's with 1 in 88 children in Utah diagnosed. 1 in 54 boys. There is no cure and no specific treatment plan for children with Autism. In Utah, insurance companies rule this disorder out as an incurable disease and Riley has been denied coverage on many procedures because of his diagnosis. We want to change this. Autism Speaks is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that is dedicated to changing the future for all those who struggle with Autism Spectrum Disorders. To find out more about them, visit http://www.autismspeaks.org/.


We have been so blessed by people in our life who have rallied to fundraise for our Walk team and extensive efforts have been given to ensure our success! "Strides for Autism" was an idea that came from my sister Camille Hoggard! She has taken on the responsibility of "Race Director" and is organizing the entire production of the race! My other sister, Michelle Wilkinson has taken on the role of "Community Development" and is responsible for all of the in-kind donations as well. Collectively as a "Brady family" everyone is working together to ensure the success of this race and Jason and I could not be more humbled or thankful for these efforts! We love you guys so much!

Please consider this your personal invitation to join with us to in the 3nd annual "Strides for Autism". We feel like this is a great way to get the family together for this cause and have a competitive event for the community to participate in! Those who are registered for the Utah Walk Now for Autism Speaks can notate their team name in their registration and 100% of the proceeds will benefit their team! This is an event for EVERYONE!

We would love to have you as part of our team, whether that is by walking with us, donating, becoming educated about Autism, or just loving Riley and every other child you know affected by autism.

Thank you so much for your continued support of Riley and our family. We are forever grateful for the prayers and feelings of love we receive from each of you! We love you so much!!!

We hope to see you on April 13th!
Best,
Jason and Tricia
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