Dayanlee Quezada Coello

Hi, I’m Delilah, born and raised between New Haven, Connecticut and rural Ecuador, where I spent part of my childhood living on a farm. Growing up between two cultures gave me a deep appreciation for different ways of life, and it shaped the person I am today; someone who believes in community, connection, and giving back.

I started running in college but due to an injury I took a step back and didn't start running away until 2023. Which brought me to my first race, IRIS 5K, supporting immigrants and refugees. Since then, running has become so much more than just a form of exercise, it’s become a way to advocate for causes that matter to me and to show up for the communities I love.

Running has helped me feel even more connected to New Haven, to Ecuador, and to new communities I’ve met along the way. Every mile gives me the chance to raise awareness, share stories, and bring people together. That’s what keeps me going—and that’s why I run.

I’m running my first half marathon with the Doug Flutie Foundation for Autism because this cause is personal not just to me but to many people in different communities  

I have family members back home in Ecuador who live with autism. Growing up in a country where neurological conditions were often overlooked or misunderstood, it took years into their adulthood for some of my loved ones to even receive a diagnosis, little less for us to know how to support them. Seeing my nephew who was born and raised in the US get the support he needed from a young age, opened my eyes to the power of awareness, compassion, and resources within family and other families who knew what we were going through. They quickly became another community for us. Foundations like Doug Flutie Jr, has helped my family and communities around me be able to access guidance and care that we never thought possible.

Now, I want to return that support.

We’re living in a time where autism is still widely misunderstood, and sadly, often viewed through a negative lens. But autism is not something to fear or hide, it’s something we must understand, embrace, and support. Every individual deserves a chance to thrive, not just survive, and every family deserves the tools to help them do so.

By running and raising funds, I hope to help other families like mine feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Every step I take is for my family and for families everywhere navigating life with autism.