by Joe Arnold

WHAS11.com

Posted on August 9, 2012 at 6:47 PM

Updated yesterday at 7:01 PM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- A local teenager who has spent years raising money and awareness for autism said she has a big dream - to make Louisville the home of autism research.

We first introduced you to Michaela Riggle eight years ago, then just 7-years-old and already battling to find a cure for her 4-year-old brother who was diagnosed with autism.

She started the Beading to Beat Autism campaign where she, along with help from others, sold hand-made beaded bracelets to raise money for autism research.

Michala is now 15-years-old and is still looking out for Evan. Evan has come a long way, but despite progress his family said autism still dominates their lives.

She started the Beading to Beat Autism campaign where she, along with help from others, sold hand-made beaded bracelets to raise money for autism research. After five years of selling bracelets, Michala is now taking her effort to the next level, a local campaign to raise $5 million to buy land and hire staff for a Louisville autism and research facility.

She's asking 60,000 of her Kentuckiana neighbors to pledge $7 per month for one year. But that's just the start. Michala hopes to take Campaign 7 national raise hundreds of millions of dollars and make Louisville the home of autism hope.

See the article here:
Local teen looks to take autism campaign national, make Lou. first in research