After deeming last year’s event a “huge success,” organizers are eagerly planning the second annual autism 5K.

The Second Annual Autism 5K and 2 Mile Walk will be held April 29 at the Red Bay High School track. Proceeds go to the Autism Society of Alabama. Coordinator Jessica Hamilton said the support for last year’s event “blew me away.”

“We raised over $3,000 for the Autism Society of Alabama,” Hamilton said. “The turnout was definitely better than I ever expected for a first annual event. I’m grateful to everyone who participated … I hope this year is just as good.”

Race check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. with race start at 8 a.m. Walk check-in follows at 9:30 a.m. with the walk at 10 a.m. Cost is $35 for the run ($25 for children) and $30 for the walk ($20 for children), with participants invited to sign up individually or as teams.

“This year’s event will be a bit different,” Hamilton said. “There will be no vendors or activities – just the run and walk only.”

In addition to their entry fee, participants are encouraged to fundraise for the Autism Society. The team with the largest monetary donation will received a trophy; the team with the most participants will also receive a trophy.

For Hamilton, the cause continues to be dear to her heart.

“My 14-year-old son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at a very young age,” Hamilton said. “As a parent, hearing the diagnosis is a relief, knowing exactly what’s unique about your child, but it’s also frightening at the same time because there’s lots of research to do so that the child can get the optimal therapy with hopes that he or she will eventually be able to function at his or her best potential.”

Hamilton said researching can be overwhelming, and the challenges that accompany autism can seem insurmountable, particularly without resources or support at hand.

“I just want to help parents who find themselves where I did before and after the diagnosis,” Hamilton said. “I’ll never consider myself educated enough on autism spectrum disorder. There’s new research published every single day.”

Hamilton said part of her mission is to continue to educate the community on autism, sharing information on pertinent subjects like insurance coverage – “House Bill 284 makes autism coverage available to Alabama families who are dealing with autism. We are highly supportive of HB284” – and treatments, like Applied Behavior Analysis – “the most popular and successful therapy for autistic patients thus far. ABA is a process of specific interventions to promote and build social behaviors,” Hamilton added.

“Please come out and support this great cause,” Hamilton said. “There’s no one specific cause or reason (for autism), but there is hope, and that’s what I want to keep alive in the hearts of families affected by ASD: hope.”

For more information, check out the Facebook page FranklinCounty AutismAwareness. Blue lightbulbs are available for $2 to show support, and a limited number of T-shirts are available for $15. Chances on a hand-sewn quilt depicting an autism puzzle piece are $1 each.

To register for the run or walk visit https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/RedBay/WalkForAutismFranklinCounty, or email jessicahamilton@franklin.k12.al.us.

Anyone who wants to help but will not be able to on April 29, Hamilton said, may go to the race/walk sign-up websites and click the donate button or mail donations to the Autism Society of Alabama, 4217 Dolly Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35243.