Join us throughout October for

JAC's 5K National Walk/Run for Autism

This is a live or virtual 5K run/walk benefitting the National Autism Association in memory of JAC (Joseph Alan Carper II). 

This year alone, nearly 50 children with autism have lost their lives due to wandering. The National Autism Association is the leading organization for autism-related wandering prevention advocacy and resources. NAA’s Big Red Safety Box® Program has provided over 75,000 families with free lifesaving tools. Your participation in JAC’s 5K will help NAA continue its vital safety programs for autism.

Participate Your Way

  • You can host an event, or participate virtually from anywhere at anytime from October 1st – 31st.
  • Your walk or run can be split up throughout the month or done all at once.
  • No registration necessary.
  • A minimum $25 donation is requested per participant.

Contact us, if you have any questions at naa@nationalautism.org.

 

Ways to Start

1. Start a Virtual Facebook Challenge

Participating virtually is easy with NAA’s Facebook Challenge. Make sure you are logged into Facebook and then click the link to start your Facebook Challenge. The Challenge will post to your page, where donations can be made directly.

2. Host Your Own Event

Gather your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers and start your own walk/run.  Funds from your event can be donated anytime during the month to our Donorbox Platform, in honor of JAC and all those with autism who lost their lives after going missing.

3. Donate Now

If you do not want to walk or run and still want to help, you can donate to the cause at Donorbox . We appreciate any amount.  Thank you.

About JAC

JAC was a vibrant 4-year-old boy who loved trampolines, Oreos and swinging on his swing-set. He was nonspeaking and diagnosed with autism. Like many children with autism, JAC loved water and struggled with elopement. He died as the result of accidental drowning in August of 2024.

 

Your support will help NAA educate others about autism-related wandering, and provide the necessary safeguards to help save lives.

Learn more about wandering at: https://nationalautismassociation.org/resources/wandering/