UF students and Gainesville residents can now register for a run to benefit those with autism.
Registration for Eastside High School’s annual Autism Awareness 5K opened last week. The club running it, Students Together for Autism Research, is hoping to raise $5,000 to support UF’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.
Online registration for the 5K is $15, while on-site registration will be $20.
The center’s assistant director, Catherine Zenko, said all proceeds from the 5K, which will take place at Boulware Springs Nature Park on April 30, will go to CARD. They are expecting 150 to 300 people to attend the event.
Zenko said the money raised will be used to replenish supplies, such as lamination paper and velcro, at CARD’s visual support lab. The lab makes images that represent words and ideas for those with autism and related disabilities to take home. They can point to the pictures instead of speaking, she said.
CARD has also started making safety boxes that teach about fire safety and include information about preventing wandering and drowning, Zenko said.
The boxes also include door chimes and medical bracelets, in case those with autism and related disabilities wander, she said.
“There’s been a big push to keep these kids safe,” Zenko said.
Karly Johnson, a UF communication sciences and disorders junior, said she is participating in the 5K because a family member has autism.
“I have a family member on the autism spectrum and have seen the struggles he and his family have gone through,” the 20-year-old said. “CARD helps people with disabilities, so I want to help them.”
