Rafael Gomez plans to run 10 Half Marathons in 8 months to raise $50,000 for the Autism research being conducted at the Developmental Medicine Center of the Children's Hospital Boston.
May 29, 2007 (Press Release) --
Wellesley, MA – Rafael Gomez is one of many parents living in Wellesley benefiting from the services of the Developmental Medicine Center (DMC) at the Childrens Hospital, and now, these parents have banded together to help give back to the DMC.
By now, most people know that one in one-hundred fifty children is diagnosed with Autism, an incurable, but treatable set of disorders that fall on an “Autistic Spectrum”. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, together, the syndromes on the spectrum “are much more common than are some more better known disorders like Diabetes, Spinal Bifida and Downs Syndrome.”
Because of the variety of treatments and of autistic disorders, the assignment of treatment to an autistic child requires a birds-eye view, can be difficult to coordinate and often necessitates the expertise of a specialist. This is the type of service that the DMC provides.
But besides providing these valuable services to the public, the DMC has created an Autism Care and Research Program that aims to integrate behavioral, genetic, cognitive science and neuroscience perspectives on autism in the same group of children to hopefully find the causes of and better treatments for Autism.
The scope of this program is huge, involving doctors with specialties in Genomics, Informatics, Neurobiology as well as resources spanning multiple organizations. “When I learned about this program on the hospital’s web site,” Rafael said,” I saw an opportunity to give back to the organization that is helping my son.”
Rafael, with three other families of Autistic children has organized a fundraising effort to benefit this program that will have him running 131 miles – 13.1 at a time – in a series of Half Marathons taking place in New England. “I’ve never run this many races, but if it’ll help bring attention and resources to the valuable work of these doctors, I know I’ll find a way to do it.”
Gomez’ first race is “Boston’s Run To Remember”, which takes place on Memorial Day. You can read about his progress throughout the year on his blog (dmcrun.blogspot.com) and make an online donation on www.firstgiving.com/dmcrun.
By now, most people know that one in one-hundred fifty children is diagnosed with Autism, an incurable, but treatable set of disorders that fall on an “Autistic Spectrum”. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, together, the syndromes on the spectrum “are much more common than are some more better known disorders like Diabetes, Spinal Bifida and Downs Syndrome.”
Because of the variety of treatments and of autistic disorders, the assignment of treatment to an autistic child requires a birds-eye view, can be difficult to coordinate and often necessitates the expertise of a specialist. This is the type of service that the DMC provides.
But besides providing these valuable services to the public, the DMC has created an Autism Care and Research Program that aims to integrate behavioral, genetic, cognitive science and neuroscience perspectives on autism in the same group of children to hopefully find the causes of and better treatments for Autism.
The scope of this program is huge, involving doctors with specialties in Genomics, Informatics, Neurobiology as well as resources spanning multiple organizations. “When I learned about this program on the hospital’s web site,” Rafael said,” I saw an opportunity to give back to the organization that is helping my son.”
Rafael, with three other families of Autistic children has organized a fundraising effort to benefit this program that will have him running 131 miles – 13.1 at a time – in a series of Half Marathons taking place in New England. “I’ve never run this many races, but if it’ll help bring attention and resources to the valuable work of these doctors, I know I’ll find a way to do it.”
Gomez’ first race is “Boston’s Run To Remember”, which takes place on Memorial Day. You can read about his progress throughout the year on his blog (dmcrun.blogspot.com) and make an online donation on www.firstgiving.com/dmcrun.
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