Royals hope to hit home run with this year's Autism Awareness run/walk

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Thousands gathered for the second annual Royal's Autism Awareness 5K run/walk.  Another several hundred walked a different one mile path to promote awareness about the disorder too.

Participants ran or walked a course around Kauffman Stadium.  Those involved in the 5K ended their race in the bull pen and on the field.

The money raised by schools, teams and individuals will stay in the Kansas City area.  The main beneficiary is the Autism Alliance of Greater Kansas City.

Amy Morrow, with Autism Alliance, has an autistic son, who thanks to therapy, lives a functional and verbal life.  She says the cost of treatment and therapy can be enourmous.  That's why, Morrow says, fundraising is so important.  

Morrow's son was diagnosed before he turned three.  However, Morrow advocates for an even earlier diagnosis because the earlier the treatment happens, she says, often times dictates better results.

Click here if you'd like to donate to the Royal's Autism Awareness fund.

Royals charities will provide a Autism-based grant to the school district with the most registered walkers.

Miles east of Kansas City, in Afghanistan, soldiers held a shadow run to show their support too.  It was held at an unnamed U.S. military installment.  The soldiers were provided the same bib numbers and t-shirts as the runners in Kansas City.  Their run benefits the Autism Alliance too.