Hi John,

We know the past few months haven’t been easy, so as always, let me start by saying: we’re here for you, and we hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and well.

With July just around the corner (can you believe it?!) we know many summer plans are being adjusted and then re-adjusted again but here’s one plan we’ll hope you can make with us! We’re excited to announce our Autism Speaks Virtual 5K.

Join us by running or walking a 5K on Saturday, July 4, wherever you are, to show your support for people with autism. Your fundraising efforts will empower our work to promote solutions for the needs of people with autism and their families including providing for those in urgent need of resources right now and will support our continued commitment to create a kinder, more inclusive world.

This year, we’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Autism Speaks 5K, which started with an amazing group of volunteers in Potomac, MD. To commemorate this milestone, we are taking the event from neighborhood to nationwide by inviting everyone across the country to join together (virtually) to increase understanding and acceptance for people with autism and their families while raising raise funds for Autism Speaks.

Here are the details:

• WHEN: Saturday, July 4. Run (or walk) whenever you can.
• WHERE: Wherever you can! In your neighborhood, at a park or on a treadmill! Participate however you can practice safe social distancing based on your community’s regulations.
• WHO: Anyone and everyone! We want people across the country come together to support people with autism and their families.
• HOW: To join us, register for at autismspeaks5k.org!
• WHY: Now, more than ever the autism community needs our support. By signing up and raising funds for the Autism Speaks Virtual 5K, you’ll make a meaningful impact for our entire community.

Every great race comes with great swag. Every registered participant will be sent a commemorative event shirt and finisher medal to show off your accomplishment and support for a kinder world.

The best part? This is just the beginning. This summer and fall, we’re opening more Autism Speaks races up for nationwide virtual participation. The series of races will allow you to “run across the country” as part of our community that’s running on kindness. So, stay tuned!

Thank you, as always, for your support, and for being a valued member of the Autism Speaks community.

Let’s get moving!

Jennifer Schell Podoll
SVP, Constituent Engagement