TeamAutism.org is a new organization with the mission “to benefit local individuals and families affected by autism in the Oklahoma City area. The goal of Team Autism is to increase funding to support the Edmond Family Center for Autism while promoting fitness and healthy lifestyles.”  Edmond Family Center for Autism is a partner organization of TeamAutism.org. TeamAutism.org is located in Oklahoma City, OK and the Edmond Family Center for Autism is located in Edmond, OK, with a support group at the Edmond Library.

TeamAutism.org trains first-time walkers or runners for marathon events. Each walker or runner trains in honor of a local person with autism. TeamAutism.org was started by Alan and Stacey Danielson. The Danielson’s son was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2005.

Stacey ran a marathon with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program 9 years ago. The program helped her through the training process to run the marathon and also to raise money for leukemia. When Alan searched for an organization to run a marathon and raise money for autism, he discovered that this did not exist. TeamAutism.org was then created by the Danielsons.

The Edmond Family Center for Autism began as an online support group in Edmond called Parents of Autistic Children. But it has grown with the needs of the community. The group hopes to educate, provide support and raise awareness about autism.

TeamAutism.org has put together a team of five runners to participate in the Honolulu (HI) Marathon on December 9, 2007. The runners each need to raise a minimum of five thousand dollars to participate and are still fundraising.

Sources: TeamAutism.org, NewsOK.com