On a near-freezing morning a couple of weeks ago, my friends Chris and Brad, and I got up early, and rode 50 miles in Rock Creek Park to work on our “hill skills”.  It was cold and windy.  We weren’t happy campers.  But how blessed we were to be able to get out and do it!  Just two years ago the generally accepted occurrence rate of autism was 1 in 500. At the end of 2001 the Centers for Disease Control revised the number to 1 in 250 new births affected by autism spectrum disorders.  Autism is a severe, lifelong neurological disorder that usually strikes in the first two years of life. Autism causes severe impairment in language, cognition, social skills, and communication. Many are surprised to find that autism is more common than Down's Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, or Cystic Fibrosis.    I am sure that everyone has heard of or knows someone who has been affected by autism.  Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that effects early brain development, resulting in communication problems, difficulty with normal social interactions, and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behavior.  It affects an estimated 2 to 6 per 1,000 individuals.    ABOUT CURE AUTISM NOW Founded in 1995, Cure Autism Now is a non-profit organization comprised of parents, scientists and clinicians dedicated to finding effective biological treatments, prevention and cure for autism and related disorders. Cure Autism Now is the largest private funder of autism research and resources in the country. Autism research is urgently needed.   I am now training for this, my first triathlon, along with my daughter Katrina, my cousin Jon, and my friends Chris and Kurtis.  This particular triathlon includes a 500 yard swim, a 10 mile bike and ends with a 2.5 mile run.  The tri will be held on Sunday April 17th, 2005 at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase YMCA at 9401 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD. The race starts at 7am.  However, the triathlon’s most important role is found in the money it brings in to end the devastating effects of autism.  Please dig deep and help me push all the other fundraisers to new heights to allow Cure Autism Now to do more to accomplish their goals.    My goal is to raise $5,000 for this event.    Donations are tax deductible and will go towards finding effective biological treatments, prevention, and a cure for autism and related disorders.    I am now in my early fifties.  I have started the 2nd 50 years of my life, I am halfway to the century mark, and I am a lucky man.  More importantly, I am healthy and so is my family.  We are all grateful for this.  There are many people not so fortunate, so by doing this triathlon I can give back to others.  My family and friends urge you to pledge to my triathlon.    Thanks again for your support and generosity.  Let us all hope that we can help in this fight – your pledge will make a difference.   Please follow this link to make you donations before April 10th, 2005.   Sincerely,   Mark D. Grant