April is National Autism Awareness Month, and in celebration the Binghamton University Scholars Program sponsored a race on April 24th to benefit the local chapter of the Autism Society of America (ASA). Run F.A.S.T. (The Run For Autism Support and Treatment) was held on the Binghamton University campus in New York, featuring both a competitive run and a leisure walk. The race began at 11:00am, and the walk began at 11:30. The approximately 150 participants followed a three-mile course winding through the beautiful Nature Preserve, raising nearly $10,000 for charity. University students, members of the ASA and their families, as well as a group from the Special Olympics came out to show their support. Sponsors included Sodexho Campus Service and Sam’s Club, and Pfizer Inc., who very generously offered to match the amount donated by participants.
For the race, awards were given in male and female categories, for runners 1st through 3rd place. Asad Mohammad came in first overall, finishing in 15 minutes and 39 seconds. Kevin Nelson (17:40) and Michael Smyth (18:10) finished second and third, respectively. The female winner was Caitlyn Keefe, with a time of 19:06. Liz Clark followed close behind, with 19:09, winning second place. Erin Street (19:17) took third place. Trophies were awarded to each winner in a ceremony after the race.
A barbeque followed the event, including a live band, Clutch Patrol. The student band was a hit, appealing to young and old alike with their covers of classics from such bands as the Grateful Dead and Phish. The kids jammed along with the band, dancing to the music and having a great time. The free BBQ also featured sidewalk chalk games for the kids, as well as raffle of themed baskets, such as "Movie Madness," "Stress Relief," and "Outdoor Fun." Luckily the weather was beautiful, and the crowd was lively, playing soccer, sitting on the grass chatting with friends, and feasting on the buffet.
Each semester students in the Binghamton University Scholars Program organize service projects to benefit the surrounding community. Along with Professor Conlon, the director of the Scholars Program, eight students (Alex Dreisin, Siobhan Gregg, Maxwell Morrison, Michael Sorrentino, Jessica Stone, Andrew Sullivan, Angela Wynne, and myself) devoted two semesters of their time to put together the race, choosing to aid the ASA to give voice to an often overlooked problem. This is the largest project attempted by the Scholars thus far, and the students organized the event themselves. Thanks to their effort, and the help of many volunteers, the race proved to be a fun-filled day and a terrific success. Autism is a complex developmental disability autism that impairs a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. The disorder affects 2 to 5 out of every 10,000 children and usually appears before the age of three. Scientists today still do not know what causes autism, and there is no cure. This is why increased awareness and research is especially important to help make headway in treating this disorder that deserves our attention.
The race was an amazing success, especially being its first year. Many participants diligently collected donations to help the cause in addition to their entry fees. It was heartwarming to see how seriously people took the fundraiser and how much they cared for the cause. The event raised nearly $10,000. Ms. Sally Colletti, the President of the Broome-Tioga chapter of the ASA, plans on using the funds to begin an after-school program for local autistic children, as well as initiating several other social development programs to aid in autism research. In addition to the donations, the ASA and BU Scholars hope that the attention received by the race will help to raise awareness and teach people about Autism.
