My name is Joe DeFazio. I have been running the Walt Disneyworld Half Marathon since 2015. Last year I lost my wife to Alzheimer's and my family and friends did a great job raising money for the Alzheimer's cause. Our contribution was over $15,000.
This year, I wanted to tie my running efforts into a charity involved with my running event, the January 11, 2026 Walt Disneyworld Half Marathon. The Alzheimer's Association is not involved in the event, and I was very sorry to see that, so I selected the autism cause. There are several people I know that have families impacted by autism, so I've decided to run for them and raise money for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism: "Dougie's Team for Autism".
Doug Flutie, graduate of Boston College and former NFL quarterback, has a son, Doug Jr., with autism. This charity has donated over $14 million dollars to various organizations supporting the autism cause.
My hope is that you will recognize the importance of making a donation to this worthy cause.