On May 19, 2018 Barry and I will be joining the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization and thousands of Philadelphia area residents who will ride, run or walk to raise funds for research and programs to help those diagnosed with autism.   I am reaching out to you who know of the personal journey I have shared with my son, Ben.  Ben was diagnosed in 1995 at the age of two.  At that time, I was told the prevalence rate for autism was estimated at 1 in 10,000.  Today the CDC estimates that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism.  The rate increases to 1 in 42 for boys.  Although there is now much more attention and research focused on autism spectrum disorders there is still no answer to its cause and no cure. Ben is now 22 years old, made enormous strides and will be moving into semi-independent housing this month.  However, those accomplishments are not available or achievable to many who share Ben’s diagnosis.  Therefore, we are asking you to support Ben’s Buddies as we participate in the Eagles Autism Challenge.  All participant-raised funds go directly toward autism initiatives at leading institutions including, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Drexel and Jefferson Health.  Your support will help improve the lives of those currently affected as well as future generations.  Thank you for your donation.