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Dear Family and Friends,
I am so excited and honored to participate as a Children's Champion in partnership with the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon &1/2 Marathon. A lot has happened over the past couple of years and the hospital and the patients they treat still need our support.
Now, more than ever, the dollars we raise are critical. So many of us are experiencing challenges like we have never faced in our lifetime and, as you can imagine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital is no exception.
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My personal fundraising goal for this program is $500. Any contribution you can make is greatly appreciated and will make a difference.
As many of you know, this is the 45th anniversary of The Columbus Marathon. This marathon was my first in 2011 and as such, Will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart. I’ll run it for the fifth time this year. Last year I was blessed beyond measure to train for and run with three friends who tackled their first marathon with courage and grace. While they all said they couldn’t have done it without me, the truth is that these special, strong, and beautiful souls - all of whom have immediate connections to the hospital as a child, a mother, and an aunt - are the only reasons I got to the start. I am not exaggerating in the least when I say these women, this marathon, my running community, and seeing the Champions at every mile gave me a reason to live.
From April 2023 through July 12, 2024, I was in a darkness; trapped in a hopeless cycle of medication resistant chronic major depressive disorder; plagued with depression and anxiety so severe that I couldn’t sleep for a minute without sleep medication specifically prescribed for heightened periods of anxiety; and an undiagnosed, unspecified mood disorder. I was not living; I was surviving. I entered active crisis in November 2023 and started having passive suicidal ideation. The downfall of my health continued, even following the hard work I underwent during an outpatient partial hospitalization. I didn’t take the recommended medical leave from my career due to the crippling fear of the stigma surrounding mental health and constant worry of losing my employment and in turn not having my benefits and income to get better. It took not only the right combination of medication and treatment team, but an amazing noninvasive brain treatment to reach remission from my acute depressive period.
On October 20, 2024, I ran The Columbus Marathon not just for myself, not just for Nikki, Bea, and Trey, but for ALL of the children who have been - and continue - to be braver facing chronic health conditions than I could ever be in the daily battle against mine. They inspired my every step, and I knew I was making a difference in lives being a part of this event as a participant, volunteer, cheerleader, and supporter. This year, I want to do more. I want to fundraise because I know how chronic health conditions directly impact our mental health and that of our children. The hospital has countless programs and resources to provide support and life saving treatment to our children. They are our community and our future, and if my efforts to raise money can help even ONE child suffer a little less in their health battle, I have made an impact that truly matters.
Last year I crossed the finish line holding hands with seven other women in triumph of all the tears, hard work, and love that got us there. I was joyful, filled with emotion, and brimming with gratitude for being 100 days in remission. For being happy. For being alive.
This year I will complete the race being ONE YEAR and 100 days in remission and as a fierce advocate for ending the stigma surrounding mental health, and as a survivor.
To learn more about the incredible impact your donation can make click here.
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