Walk for Hope

"Why I Walk" Testimonials of Hope

I run/walk for those that I serve. As a mental health nurse I see daily, professionally and personally how many people are affected by mental illness. The lack of resources, access to care and the negative stigma is what I run/walk against. I feel very priviledged to not only to care for those in need but to join with others on sunday and honor those that live daily with this illness.

— Jessica

I want to thank you for the testimonials and the Eure family. These are so genuine and made me cry because I have been close to dying myself. I'm so sorry for YOUR losses I have been walking and/or volunteering for 16 or 17 years. I have depression, PTSD... and take a variety of drugs that numb the pain, but it is still there. I hope one day researchers will come up with a med that REALLY helps with little/no side effects!

— Karen Nyreen

I walk because I, like many others was diagnosed with a Clinical Depression.8 years ago my world changed for the better, with the help of family, friends, doctors and a soon to be husband. I don't live in the dark anymore. I live in the light.

— Vanessa Zitzmann
Theatre in the Park

On November 28, 2007, I lost a dear friend to mental illness. Today, I am still in disbelief and keep pondering all the Why's.... Mark was a true genius, a singer and songwriter who founded a band that will forever live on his legacy... I love and miss him so much. Let us all try and fund the research and give the help that so many other lives need now. Let's give that final glimmer of hope to someone who needs it now... I run for MARK. I love you.

— John M. Randazzo

I walk because four years ago I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar II disorder and I walk for hope that people who suffer from mental illness will become more aware of their illness and can finally do something about it.

— Anonymous

On October 1, 2008 I found myself in a mental health hospital for the first time...and hopefully the last. This was my low point after suffering from 13 years of an eating disorder. Although it was my eating disorder that almost killed me, I have also suffered from depression, anxiety and substance abuse. I even tried to overdose a few times, but by the grace of God was unsuccessful. Even those of us who suffer from mental illness and addiction have a purpose and a reason to live. I encounter others just like me in my day-to-day work, and I am happy today that I can help others who are struggling. I hope that one day mental illness and substance abuse will earn the same attention as cancer, diabetes or other major illnesses and that there will not be such a stigma attached to these conditions. For now, I am grateful that I am alive and that I have the strength to run.

— Anonymous

I will walk because only 3 months ago today my 21 year old son committed suicide. Andrew suffered/struggled with bipolar disorder for years. He sought treatment, tried different combination of medications, and still the depression associated with the disorder was more powerful than his fight. He was a sweet, loving, intelligent individual and he is missed daily. I will walk in hopes that one day there will be more knowledge, better treatments, and no stigma attached to mental illness. I will walk for Andrew in hopes that there can be an end to the pain he had to suffer.

— Troy W. Ferguson

I walk because I have personally suffered from deep depression for majority of my youth. If it weren't for research and contributions made toward research and treatment, I would not have received the treatment I needed to overcome that depression. I now live a happy, depression-free life, and I feel like my contribution will help another do the same. I also lost my grandmother to Alzheimer's and hopefully much more research can be done regarding that illness as well.

— Shay Barnett

I walk because my son has ADHD and for years people treated him as an outcast. Teachers said he was a problem, daycare workers said he would never amount to anything. I am proud to say, that with a lot of love from his family he is now a father himself. He lives a very productive life and serves our country. If there were more organizations like yours that took the time to seek to understand. All of our loved one's would find their place in this society. Thank you for providing me an opportunity to participate in something that will touch so many peoples lives.

— Anonymous

On January 26, 2009 I got a phone call that my best friend had died by suicide. My world hasn't been the same since. I walk in her memory and in her honor, and will do so until I can't walk anymore. Nobody should have to suffer, and everyone should have adequate access to help. I walk for Susan.

— Carrie

A few years ago, I suddenly came down with depression. It runs in my family- two of my uncles have had it or have it. My father's brother had has it for a long time, so when I was diagnosed, he seemed to understand a little. My mother, however, did not understand at all. I love her so much, but she just didn't understand and sometimes, made it worse. My other uncle recently was suicidal. I want to get the word out about depression and how it seriously affects the people who have it and their loved ones. I walk for my uncles, the things they didn't do and for me, for being here to share my story.

— Anonymous

I walked for the first time last year. It was six months after I was discharged from an eating disorder treatment center. After all I had been through over the years, I felt so blessed to be able to do the walk. I walked for everyone out there who is still struggling, in hopes that they could see the light at the end of the tunnel as I did.

— Anonymous

The Walk for Hope is such an important organization for educating people on mental illness, removing the stigma of the disease, and for the important money it raises. My father has bi-polar disorder. Growing up I witnessed both bad days and good days. I walk for him, and for the thousands of others that are affected by mental illness. The Walk is a day of celebration- food, music, friends- and it is a day truly about Hope!

— Melissa Daniel

The first year I found out about the walk was the one year anniversary of losing my Mother to Bi-polar disorder. Mental illness runs strong in my family and I had always felt alone in our struggles over the years. My mother's father and my Mother have both died of their disorders. I and my Brother were both diagnossed in our early 20's. I don't think I can express in words how much it has meant to me and my family to see so many people, diagnosed or not, take the time to raise money and walk for mental illness's of all kinds. Our team name is in my Mother's honor, PLA is her initials. She passed in October so this has given me somthing positive to do every year and feel as though she is with us. I want to thank everyone who walks and have shown me that we are not alone in this and that hopefully there will be cures or better meds in my lifetime and for those generations to come. You have restored my faith in people and reducing the silent stigma attached to mental illness. A special thanks to Van and BeBe who really helped me through the first year. See ya next year!!!!!!

— Lara Aneretsky
My team is PLA

2008 was my second year walking. I walk because I suffer from severe depression and I want to help people like me. I want to make a difference, and prevent suicide.

— Anonymous

2008 will be my 5th year walking. I first started walking by accident. My parents were looking for something to do the next day. After seeing an article in the paper, we were all over walking, and the four of us had so much fun! Though last year was different because my friend, Erin’s, mother was diagnosed with a mental illness much like Alzheimer’s. So I created a team and we walked in their honor. My team (which will also be walking again this year) raised $1041, and there were only 9 of us! The walk is a great charity and I will be walking for years to come!

— Sarah Huck
Hucks Heros

I walk for my brother Kyle, who, for my entire life suffered with mental illness. He ended his life early in January of 2007 at 32 years old, but I know how proud he was that our family would walk every year in the hope of a better treatments, something to improve his life and the lives of others suffering in silence. The Walk for Hope is my way of staying connected to my brother and of spreading the hope that maybe one day we will find better treatments and that we will one day bust the stigma that mental illness carries with it.

— Anonymous

I walk in memory of my dad who suffered from bipolar disorder. The walk is a small way of honoring him and his memory. Mental illness is such a horrible disease to watch someone you love go through and suffer with on a daily basis. The Walk is an answer to my prayers in helping to understand and treat the effects of mental health and helping to make a difference in so many lives. Until you witness someone with a mental illness, you never could imagine how many lives it can effect.

— Lynne Welsh

I walk because I can! I walk for those who suffer each day of their lives never knowing when darkness will enter. I walk to give HOPE that one day there will be a cure. I walk because we need treatment for those who need it. I walk because I want to be a part of a community who helps erase the stigma of mental illness. I walk in honor and memory of all my family members who have suffered from mental illness, but gave me so many gifts because of who they were. I walk because I BELIEVE!

— Paige Bivens
Bivens Believers

Our team "YES WE CAN" is an answer to the challenge of Walking For Hope. I have worked as a Psychiatric RN for the past 25 years. Never before have I found an organization such as the Foundation For Hope, which is so deeply devoted to the research and treatment of mental illness. I was compelled to get involved. Each year as it gets harder for me to walk, my sense of commitment grows stronger to the point of recruiting others to carry the torch. Again I believe without a doubt, YES WE CAN, WALK FOR HOPE!"

— Celestine Watkins
Yes We Can

I participate in the Walk for Hope each year for myself and in memory and honor of loved ones who share(d) my struggles with mental illness. I believe a cure for mental illness will be found in my lifetime. The money I raise goes for the research to help find that cure. I walk for all who are challenged daily by their mental illness and struggle with stigma. I participate because I can...thanks to the love and support of family and friends. Tears come to my eyes as I see 1600 walkers march up US 70 on the day of the Walk. What a wonderful sight!

— Anonymous

As a parent it is my job to teach my children the importance of giving back. Our son Blake, Walk for Hope team captain at 5 years old races go-karts. As a family we wanted to find a way to combine his love for racing and wanting to give back. We looked at various charities, and after doing research, Blake chose The Foundation of Hope because of the way he's seen mental illness affect family members and other children his age in school. While Blake may not raise the most money or have the most walkers he has literaly done everything himself, and for that we as his parents are truly proud of him.

— Kenny & Heather Raynor
Raynor Racing

My family has participated in the Walk for the past six years -- since my daughter was an infant. We started out pushing a stroller, then pulling a wagon, and now Abby walks one half of the trail. She starts asking when the Walk is in January!

The Walk is a wonderful way to get the entire family involved in helping others and have a great time doing it! The games, the food, the ice cream -- Abby enjoys it all while at the same time knowing that she is supporting an important cause. This year she wants to raise her own money by having a yard sale and a lemonade stand. As a parent, I experience a great deal of pride watching her develop her spirit of giving through the Walk.

— Sarah Cope

During my school and college days I knew many people who suffered from a mental illness. Some of them were able to seek the help they needed to heal, and others lost their battle. I'll never forget the shock of learning of my friend Brian's brother who took his life. We were young and didn't really know much of death until that day. It was most shocking because Kevin never let on that he was suffering. His death, like many others could have been prevented. The lack of awareness, acceptance, and understanding about mental illnesses makes it very hard for someone who suffers to reach out for help. That's why I walk. For all those that I knew, and those I was never lucky enough to know. For those who suffered, and those who are suffering now. If reading the testimonials on this page is not enough to convince you to join us, how does a huge post walk party with free food, beer and music sound? The Fabulous Shades play all your favorites while you munch on fantastic Angus Barn food under the pavilion down by the Angus Barn lake. Plus, you can win one of a massive number of very cool prizes. All while knowing you are a part of the hope. I better see you there! - JJ Herr, 94.7 QDR middays.

— JJ Herr
94.7 QDR

I participate in the Walk for Hope for myself, my mother, my sister, my brother, my father and my step-mother. We all have varying degrees of mental illness - from bipolar disorder to manic depression. I know the darkness of the illness and the absolute joy of a "normal" day. I know first-hand the effect this illness has on loved ones and friends and the frustrations of the social stigma & misunderstandings associated with mental illness. The Walk is the one day a year I can REALLY be myself & give back to those who work so hard for such a wonderful purpose. I am honored to share my talents as an entertainer with the Walk for Hope. As long as you're there, I'll be there, too! With brush in hand...

— Mary "Peppermint" Baldwin
Molly Anne's Clown House

I walk for all the people, who believe mental illness "will never come in to their lives", I want to soften the road they may have to one day travel. I want it to be alright to admit your illness and not be walked away from. I also walk for my gang, my husband and daughter are bipolar. Being a team captain helps me to deal with the illness in a different way. It gives me control over what can be so uncontrollable. Let's keep paving the way!!!

— Alycia Ashley

I walk for the people who are unable to walk, unable to be heard and unable to be healed. I walk because one day we will be able to put the stigma of mental illness behind us and people will no longer be treated unfairly. I walk to give someone else a chance. I walk for hope, hope that we can make a difference.

— Mary Oglesby. RN
Team Yes We Can

I walk because every family deserves a healthy mother who is capable of nurturing her children and providing them with the love, attention and care they require. Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety prevented me from doing these most basic things after the birth of our second child. An active, involved and caring mother prior to my depression; I became withdrawn, apathetic and hopeless within just weeks after the birth of our son. With no family history of any mental illness, I was blindsided and devastated by the person I had become.

I have spent the past 12 months doing things I never dreamed I'd have to do -- relying on medication to get through my days, attending and participating in support group meetings, and spending many hours in a psychiatrist's office. All of these things -- in addition to an incredible network of family and friends providing the support I needed -- have helped me tremendously and now I am very close to being the same person I was before my depression.

I'm grateful to have a form of depression that doesn't last a life time. I know there are many, many mothers who will face the same challenges that I have. And I walk with hope that there will come a day when all families' lives will be free of postpartum mood disorders.

— Elizabeth Clarke

I walk for so many reasons. I walk for a cure. I walk for improved treatments for mental illness. I have grown up in a family directly affected by depression, schizophrenia and death due to mental illness. I walk for the hope that if my children struggle with the same issues, that they have the best resources available to help them get through it. I am so thankful to be able to be a part of the Walk for Hope!

— Anonymous

I walk to support a very worth cause that does not receive the attention that other organizations do. I have taught students over the years with various forms of mild mental illness. I can't imagine what it is like to actually have any form of the any disease. I hope that my support and the support of my kids at Apex helps greatly. Something that makes me feel good is that my high school kids come in every year expecting to participate in this event. Knowing that high school students want to get involved with community organizations is a great comfort for all of us.

— Greg Murphy
Apex DECA

I walk for my brother Johnny who suffered silently with mental illness. No one in our family knew what he was going through. He kept it a secret for so long until one day we all found out about it... but it was too late.... we never knew.

— Anonymous

I walk because I know mental illness needs a cure. Sometimes you can't see it, but it's as real as any other illness. I love to feel like my steps might lead to a cure. Walk For Hope is a great foundation. Raising money for mental illness research is a small contribution I can make. WALK FOR THE HOPE OF THE CURE!

— Eliza Gray, sixth grader

As a volunteer advocate for the mentally ill for over two decades, I see the Walk for Hope as a welcomed bright light that has helped to bring mental illness "out of the closet". Not only has it helped to remove the stigma of mental illness, it has raised public awareness that mental illness is a physical disease – a chemical imbalance of the brain.

About 90% of the money raised at the Walk for Hope goes directly for mental illness research that is so desperately needed. The research made possible by the Walk has the potential for helping someone you know. One of my children was misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia for over 10 years due to a medication error.

In addition to all the great things the Foundation of Hope does, the Walk is fun. All prizes and food are donated and you feel appreciated for your efforts.

Come join us on October 14, 2007. If you can't walk, you can still be a participant by sending your tax-deductible contribution. You'll be glad you did!"

— Louise Fisher
Stigma Busters

Sitting at my desk one day, just putting out fires as they happen on a daily basis, I was approached by a co-worker about walking with her in the upcoming 2002 walk. I had nothing better to do so I walked. Little did I know how my attitude about mental illness would change?

I started the day off hoping the organization of the walk was better than the other walk I had just done two weeks earlier. I was so impressed with the number of volunteers, the food, the music, the walkers, the teams and the walk itself, I knew this was something I would do again. Two weeks after the walk, my mother passed away from a double stroke. I know that when I walk now, my mom is walking with me, even though I know she would have just given me the $60.00 and said it was too far and too hot to walk, I know she's there. When I read the sign at the end of the walk each year on why people walk, it's enough to make this old man cry.

I know there are walks for strokes, diabetes and other issues but it's the Walk for Mental Illness that has my heart. I know it's the feeling I get from being a part of something good. Something great. Something meaningful. It's the Walk for Hope."

— Tracy Honeycutt
bioMerieux

I had the privilege and pleasure of working with both Thad and Alice Eure. I knew their diligence, commitment and passion to customers, employees, friends and family. This same commitment carried over to their Foundation of Hope and they worked tirelessly in their efforts for the research and treatment of mental illness. I walk to salute the entire Eure family in their laudable pledge to this cause."

— Jill Highsmith
Angus Barn

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