Why am I fundraising? Because I believe that showing up — consistently and intentionally — has the power to create change! My goal is to share my story, highlight the importance of mental health education and awareness, and show up every day — no matter what. Through past fundraising efforts, I’ve learned that consistency and visibility matter. By sharing my journey, my training, and my races, I hope to connect with others and reach people both on and beyond social media who want to support a meaningful cause. Mental health awareness is deeply personal to me. My mother struggled with her mental health for many years and, in September of 2016, she lost her battle to suicide. That loss shaped who I am today and reinforced how important it is to talk openly about mental health and how running can be a positive outlet for mental health struggles. You never know what someone else is battling, and if even one additional person is educated or feels less alone because of this effort, then we are making a difference! Running is my passion and my outlet. I run over 15+ road races each year, across many distances and locations, and representing Still I Run while doing what I love feels like the perfect blend of passion and purpose. By wearing the Still I Run logo at each of my races, I hope to spark conversations, spread awareness, and direct as many people as possible toward Still I Run’s mission. This fundraising effort is about more than running — it’s about honoring my mom, supporting those who are struggling, bringing awareness to using running as an outlet, and helping create a world where mental health conversations are visible, accepted, and supported.