Lin Wessels' campaign to find a cause for autism began when her son, Sam, was diagnosed three and half years ago, but it intersected with Senator John McCain's campaign for president on October 26th.

"Would you commit to meeting with a special task force of parents such as myself? Anywhere, any time, you name the place, we'll be there," asked Wessels.

Sen. McCain said, "Yes Ma'am and I will do it at your convenience either here or Washington D.C. or some other geographic location that is most convenient for the people that you want me to meet with."

In November that meeting took place in Washington, where Lin says McCain acted more like a Senior Senator than a candidate.

"When I walked into his Senate office, right in front of him on the table was the research I had given him at the town hall meeting here in town. The folder was tattered and bent and well used."

Wessels has been pushing for more research into a link between autism and vaccines that contain a mercury based preservative, ever since she found that Sam suffers from mercury poisoning, but after she and the other parents shared their concerns with Senator McCain, "then he said, well this is what I think needs to happen. I think we need to request hearings in the Senate on behalf of your kids. And we were totally in awe," she said.

Last week Lin received a copy of a letter formally requesting Senate hearings to examine potential causes of autism. It's signed by McCain and Senator Joe Lieberman. The request still has to clear some political hurdles before hearings become a reality, but Lin says she's hopeful her campaign will continue.

"You have to. You have to keep marching on, keep speaking out, and hope that this may be the time for things to start to change."

Senator McCain and Lieberman's request is now in the hands of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. It will decide if and when the autism hearings take place.