And that’s a wrap!

And that’s a wrap on the first annual Making Waves for Autism.

The final tally raised was $45,710.50, which absolutely blows my mind!

The most exciting outcome is the tangible impact this has made, right out of the gates.

As a direct result of the @makingwavesforautism fundraiser, Autism Canada told me they’re now able to proceed with launching their Community Assistance Program (CAP).

It can take upwards of 4 years to get an autism diagnosis in Canada, which is an eternity for a kid. Meanwhile, to get a private diagnosis is really cost prohibitive for a lot of families.

CAP will essentially help bridge this gap. It’ll allow individuals and families to access private diagnosis instead of going through provincial health care. It’ll also provide financial assistance to access different therapies and respite care for caregivers. If you’d like more details, please reach out to @autismcanada .

This is going to have a huge impact in the autistic community and is so very exciting.

But this is not the end. Making Waves for Autism is now an annual event and in 2025 paddlers and rowers from across the country will be able to join in on the journey and further this impact. So stay tuned for 2025 because BIG things are on the way!

So with that, I want to say THANK YOU.

You’ve all been on this journey with me in one form or another. Thank you so much for being a part of it 💙